The Lonely Way-Intermezzo-Countess Mizzie Part 105

PRINCE

And it's possible that I may go farther south after that.

COUNT

Well, that's news. Where?

PRINCE (_with a glance at Mizzie_)

Egypt, and the Sudan maybe--for a little hunting.

MIZZIE (_to Lolo_)

Let me show you the park.

LOLO

It's a marvel. Ours isn't a patch on it, of course. (_She and Mizzie come forward_)

MIZZIE

Have you a garden at your place, too?

LOLO

Certainly. As well as an ancestral palace--at Ottakring.[7] The great-grandfather of Wasner was in the cab business in his days already.--My, but that's beautiful! The way those flowers are hanging down. I must have something just like it.

[7] One of the factory districts of Vienna, known chiefly because of the big insane asylum located there.

COUNT (_disturbed_)

Why are the ladies leaving us?

MIZZIE

Never mind, papa, I'm merely explaining the architecture of our facade.

PHILIP

Do you often get visits of theatrical ladies, Count?

COUNT

No, this is merely an accident.

[_The men stroll off toward those parts of the garden that are not visible._

MIZZIE

It seems strange that I have never before had a chance of meeting you.

I am very glad to see you.

LOLO (_with a grateful glance_)

And so I am. Of course, I have known you by sight these many years.

Often and often have I looked up at your box.

MIZZIE

But not at me.

LOLO

Oh, that's all over now.

MIZZIE

Do you know, I really feel a little offended--on _his_ behalf.

LOLO

Offended, you say...?

MIZZIE

It will be a hard blow for him. n.o.body knows better than I how deeply he has been attached to you. Although he has never said a word to me about it.

LOLO

Do you think it's so very easy for me either, Countess? But tell me.

Countess, what else could I do? I am no longer a spring chicken, you know. And one can't help hankering for something more settled. As long as I had a profession of my own, I could allow myself--what do they call it now?--to entertain liberal ideas. It goes in a way with the position I have held. But how would that look now, when I am retiring to private life?

MIZZIE

Oh, I can see that perfectly. But what is _he_ going to do now?

LOLO

Why shouldn't he marry, too? I a.s.sure you, Countess, that there are many who would give all their five fingers.... Don't you realize, Countess, that I, too, have found it a hard step to take?

MIZZIE

Do you know what I have been wondering often? Whether he never thought of making _you_ his wife?

LOLO

Oh, yes, that's just what he wanted.

MIZZIE