The Lonely Way-Intermezzo-Countess Mizzie Part 104

Permit me to introduce myself--Baron Radeiner.

LOLO

So that's you, Your Highness?

PHILIP

I have let n.o.body but Wasner drive me since I came here.

LOLO

And under an a.s.sumed name at that, Your Highness? Well, we are finding out a lot of nice things about you!

COUNT (_appears, very hot_)

Well, here I am. (_Taking in the situation_) Ah!

LOLO

Your humble servant, Count! I have taken the liberty--I wanted to thank you for the magnificent flowers.

COUNT

Oh, please--it was a great pleasure....

PRINCE

And here, old friend, is my son Philip.

PHILIP

I regard myself as greatly honored, Count.

COUNT (_giving his hand to Philip_)

I bid you welcome to my house. Please consider yourself at home here.--I don't think any further introductions are required.

MIZZIE

No, papa.

COUNT (_slightly embarra.s.sed_)

It's very charming of you, my dear lady. Of course, you know better than anybody that I have always been one of your admirers.... But tell me, please, how in the world did you get out here? I have just been taking a walk along the main road, where every carriage has to pa.s.s, and I didn't see you.

LOLO

What do you take me for, Count? My cab days are past now. I came by the train, which is the proper thing for me.

COUNT

I see.... But I hear that your fiance himself....

LOLO

Oh, he has more pretentious customers to look after.

PHILIP

Yes, I have just had the pleasure of being conducted here by the fiance of Miss Pallestri.

COUNT

Is Wasner driving for you? Well, that settles it--of course--clear psychological connection! (_Offers his cigar case_) Want a smoke?

PHILIP (_accepting_)

Thank you.

PRINCE

But, Philip...! A monster like that before lunch!

COUNT

Excellent. Nothing better for the health. And I like you. Suppose we sit down.

[_The Count, the Prince and Philip seat themselves, while Mizzie and Lolo remain standing close to them._

COUNT

So you'll be off with your father to-morrow?

PHILIP

Yes, Count. And I'm tremendously pleased to think of it.

COUNT

Will you be gone long?

PRINCE

That depends on several circ.u.mstances.

PHILIP

I have to report myself at the regiment on the first of October.