The Lonely Way-Intermezzo-Countess Mizzie Part 107

WASNER

Well, there are things you haven't told either ... Mr. von Radeiner!

COUNT (_to Lolo_)

Thank you very much for your friendly visit, and please accept my very best wishes.

LOLO

The same to you, Count. And I must say, that when one has such a daughter....

MIZZIE

It's too bad I haven't come to know you before.

LOLO

Oh, really, Countess....

MIZZIE

Once more, my dear Miss Lolo, good luck to you! (_Mizzie embraces Lolo_)

COUNT (_looks on with surprise and some genuine emotion_)

LOLO

I thank you for the kind reception, Count--and good-by!

COUNT

Good-by, Miss Langhuber. I trust you'll be happy ... indeed I do, Lolo.

LOLO (_gets into the carriage which has driven up to the gate in the meantime_)

WASNER (_is on the box, hat in hand; they drive off_)

MIZZIE (_waves her hand at them as they disappear_)

PHILIP (_who has been standing in the foreground with the Prince_) Oh, my dear papa, I can see through the whole story.

PRINCE

You can?

PHILIP

This Miss Lolo must be the natural daughter of the Count, and a sister of the Countess--her foster-sister, as they say.

PRINCE

No, you would call that a step-sister. But go on, Mr. Diplomat.

PHILIP

And of course, both are in love with you--both the Countess and the ballet dancer. And this marriage between the dancer and Wasner is your work.

PRINCE

Go on.

PHILIP

You know--there's something I never thought of until just now!

PRINCE

What?

PHILIP

I don't know if I dare?

PRINCE

Why so timid all at once?

PHILIP

Supposing my mother was not dead....

PRINCE

H'm....

PHILIP

And, through a remarkable combination of circ.u.mstances, she should now be going back to the city in the very carriage that brought me out here...? And suppose it should be my own mother, whose picture I cut out of that newspaper...?

PRINCE

My lad, you'll certainly end as a cabinet minister--Secretary of Agriculture, if nothing better.--But now it's time for us to say good-by.

[_The Count and Mizzie are coming forward again._

PRINCE

Well, my dear friend, this must be our farewell call, I am sorry to say.