He Who Gets Slapped Part 38

BEZANO

When you are on horseback; but here--I congratulate you, Countess. [_He pa.s.ses, only slightly touching_ CONSUELO'S _gla.s.s_. CONSUELO _still holds it_. MANCINI _looks at the_ BARON _with a smile_. _The latter is motionless._]

BRIQUET

Nonsense, Bezano. You are making Consuelo unhappy. She is a good comrade.

CONSUELO

No, it's all right.

ANGELICA

You'll dance the Tango with her to-night, so how is she a countess?

TILLY

May I clink gla.s.ses with you, Consuelo? You know Polly has died of grief already, and I am going to die. I have such a weak stomach.

[_Laughter_; BARON _shows slight displeasure_. _General motion._]

MANCINI

Enough, enough! The intermission is over.

CONSUELO

Already? It's so nice here.

BRIQUET

I shall prolong it. They can wait. Tell them, Thomas.

MANCINI

Auguste, the musicians of the orchestra, too, ask permission to congratulate you and Consuelo. Do you ...?

BARON

Certainly, certainly.

[_Enter crowd of musicians. The conductor, an old Italian, lifts his gla.s.s solemnly and without looking at the_ BARON.]

THE CONDUCTOR

Consuelo! They call you Countess here, but for me you were and are _Consuelo_.

CONSUELO

Certainly!

THE CONDUCTOR

Consuelo! My violins and ba.s.soons, my trumpets and drums, all are drinking your health. Be happy, dear child, as you were happy here. And we shall conserve for ever in our hearts the fair memory of our light-winged fairy, who guided our bows so long. I have finished! Give my love to our beautiful Italy, Consuelo.

[_Applause, compliments. The musicians one after another clink gla.s.ses and go out into the corridor._ CONSUELO _is almost crying_.]

MANCINI

Don't be so sensitive, my child, it is indecent. Had I known that you would respond this way to this comedy--Auguste, look how touched this little heart is!

BARON

Calm yourself, Consuelo.

CONSUELO

It is all right. Ah, Father, listen!

[_The musicians are playing the Tango in the corridor.

Exclamations._]

MANCINI

You see. It is for you.

CONSUELO

They are so nice. My Tango! I want to dance. Who is going to dance with me? [_Looks around, seeking_ BEZANO, _who turns away sadly_.] Who, then?

VOICES

Baron! Let the Baron dance! Baron!

BARON

All right. [_Takes_ CONSUELO'S _arm, and stands in the centre of a circle which is formed_.] I do not know how to dance the Tango, but I shall hold tight. Dance, Consuelo. [_He stands with legs spread, heavily and awkwardly, like an iron-moulded man, holding_ CONSUELO'S _arm firmly and seriously_.]

MANCINI

[_Applauding_]: Bravo! Bravo! [CONSUELO _makes a few restless movements, and pulls her arm away_.]

CONSUELO

No, I can't this way. How stupid! Let me go! [_She goes to_ ZINIDA _and embraces her, as if hiding herself_. _The music still plays. The_ BARON _goes off quietly to the side_. _There is an unfriendly silence among the cast. They shrug their shoulders._]

MANCINI

[_Alone_]: Bravo! Bravo! It is charming, it is exquisite!