The Lonely Way-Intermezzo-Countess Mizzie Part 96

Your Grace is wanted on the telephone.

COUNT

Who is it? What is it about?

VALET

There is somebody who wishes to speak to Your Grace personally.

COUNT

You'll have to excuse me a moment. (_To the Prince, in a lowered voice_) Tell her now--while I am away. I prefer it. (_He goes out followed by the valet_)

MIZZIE

Somebody on the telephone--do you think papa can have fallen into new bondage already? (_She seats herself_)

PRINCE

Into _new_ bondage, you say?

MIZZIE

Lolo used always to telephone about this time. But it's all over with her now. You know it, don't you?

PRINCE

I just heard it.

MIZZIE

And what do you think of it, Prince Egon. I am rather sorry, to tell the truth. If he tries anything new now, I'm sure he'll burn his fingers. And I do fear there is something in the air. You see, he's still too young for his years.

PRINCE

Yes, that's so.

MIZZIE (_turning so that she faces the Prince_)

And by the way, you haven't been here for ever so long.

PRINCE

You haven't missed me very much ... I fear.... Your art ... and heaven knows what else....

MIZZIE (_without affectation_)

Nevertheless....

PRINCE

Awfully kind of you.... (_Pause_)

MIZZIE

What makes you speechless to-day? Tell me something. Isn't there anything new in the world at all?

PRINCE (_as if he had thought of it only that moment_)

Our son has just pa.s.sed his examinations for the university.

MIZZIE (_slightly perturbed_)

I hope you have more interesting news to relate.

PRINCE

More interesting....

MIZZIE

Or news, at least, that concerns me more closely than the career of a strange young man.

PRINCE

I have felt obliged, however, to keep you informed about the more important stages in the career of this young man. When he was about to be confirmed, I took the liberty to report the fact to you. But, of course, we don't have to talk any more about it.

MIZZIE

He pulled through, I hope?

PRINCE

With honors.

MIZZIE

The stock seems to be improving.

PRINCE

Let us hope so.

MIZZIE

And now the great moment is approaching, I suppose.

PRINCE