The Lonely Way-Intermezzo-Countess Mizzie Part 46

FELIX

Didn't she give you any hint at all?

SALA

None whatever.

FELIX

But have you no conjecture? Has she perhaps established any connections--abroad? Had she any friends at all, of which I don't know?

SALA

Not to my knowledge.

FELIX

Do you think that she is still alive?

SALA

I can't tell.

FELIX

Are you not _willing_ to say anything more, Mr. von Sala?

SALA

I am not _able_ to say anything more. I have nothing left to say.

Farewell, and good luck on your trip. Give my regards to Count Ronsky.

FELIX

But we are not seeing each other for the last time?

SALA

Who can tell?

FELIX (_holding out his hand to Sala_)

I must hurry to my father. I think it my duty to let him know what I have just learned from you.

SALA (_nods_)

FELIX (_to Julian_)

Good-by. (_He goes out_)

[_Julian and Sala start to leave together._

JULIAN (_as Sala suddenly stops_)

Why do you tarry? Let's get away.

SALA

It is a strange thing to _know_. A veil seems to spread in front of everything.... "Away with you!"--But I don't care to submit to it as long as I am still here--if it be only for another hour....

JULIAN

Do you believe it then?

SALA (_looking long at Julian_)

Do I believe it...? He behaved rather nicely, that son of yours.... "We shall not have to sleep in the same tent."... Not bad! I might have said it myself....

JULIAN

But why don't you come? Have you perhaps something more to tell after all?

SALA

That's the question I must put to you, Julian.

JULIAN

Sala?

SALA

Because I didn't say anything about a peculiar hallucination I experienced just before coming here. I imagine it was....

JULIAN

Please, speak out!

SALA

What do you think of it? Before I left my house--just after Felix had gone--I went down into my garden--that is to say, I ran through it--in a remarkable state of excitement, as you may understand. And as I pa.s.sed by the pool, it was exactly as if I had seen on the bottom of it....

JULIAN

Sala!

SALA