Roses: Four One-Act Plays Part 33

The Lady.

Most a.s.suredly. Well, Herr von Wolters, there is something that troubles me--something that desecrates my grief, if I may use the word. There's the anxiety--the fear that-- Yes, yes--I must tell you all. Herr von Wolters, he has my letters. Do you understand? (_He nods._) Didn't he give you something for me--a small, sealed package, perhaps--nothing?

v. Wolters.

You are forgetting, Countess, that I was ignorant of all this until a short time ago.

The Lady.

Yes, that's true. H'm--it's really too bad. Who has the keys?

v. Wolters.

Why, he gave them to me just before the duel. I have them with me.

The Lady.

You've looked through the writing-table?

v. Wolters.

Yes, I had to hand over his papers to the legal authorities. I didn't consider myself ent.i.tled to touch his private correspondence at present.

The Lady.

Why not?

v. Wolters.

He made a will the day before the duel.

The Lady.

Really? In whose favor?

v. Wolters.

I don't know.

The Lady.

What! Didn't he make any allusion--nothing----?

v. Wolters.

The only thing he said was that he had named me as executor.

The Lady.

But he had no relatives. Who is to inherit his large fortune?

v. Wolters.

As I've said, I don't know. However, he made a remark that I didn't quite understand, and that I--pardon me--would rather not repeat, if you don't mind.

The Lady.

Oh, please!

v. Wolters.

It might give you pain, Countess.

The Lady (_sadly_).

Nothing can give me pain after _this_.

v. Wolters.

Well, he said with a decided emphasis--though perhaps he did not intend that I should notice it--he said, "The one who loved me best shall be my heir."

The Lady.

What! He said that? Who could have loved him best if not I?

(_Terrified._) For G.o.d's sake, Herr von Wolters!

v. Wolters.

Don't be alarmed, Countess. That would be too grotesque.

The Lady.

Perhaps this is his revenge.

v. Wolters.

Revenge? On you? What for?

The Lady.

No, no--I'm quite out of my senses, I-- But, as you have the keys, you won't mind doing me this slight favour.

v. Wolters.

What favour, Countess?

The Lady.

Search for the letters with me--now. It seems to me your duty, not only as a friend but as a gentleman.