The Joy Of Living (Es Lebe Das Leben) Part 42

Well?

Kellinghausen.

Go on.

Beata.

You had something to say.

Kellinghausen (_confused_).

I--I was only going to tell you--that there will be no duel.

Beata.

Ah.--Then the danger I spoke of is removed, and I----

_Enter_ Conrad.

Conrad.

His Highness Prince Usingen and Baron Brachtmann are in the drawing-room.

Kellinghausen.

I will come at once. (Conrad _goes out_.)

Beata.

If you don't mind I will join you at table.

Kellinghausen.

You are not well.

Beata (_carelessly_).

It's nothing to speak of. Don't keep them waiting.--(Kellinghausen _stands before her, shaken with tearless sobs_. Beata _goes up to him and lays her hand softly on his arm_.) Michael, dear, when I think how I have hurt you I should like to fall down before you and kiss your hands--I should like to show you--what is in my heart--but it's too late to say such things now----

Kellinghausen.

Good-bye. (_He goes out_. Beata _rings and_ Conrad _enters_.)

Beata.

Ask Countess Ellen to bring me my drops. (Conrad _goes out_. Beata _stretches out her arms and pa.s.ses her hands over her face_.)

_Enter_ Ellen.

Ellen (_in the doorway_).

Mother! Are you ill? (Beata _stretches out her arms again, half beckoning_ Ellen, _half warding her off_. Ellen, _hastening to her_.) Mother! Mother! what is it?

Beata (_softly_).

Nothing, nothing. (_She strokes_ Ellen's hair, _lets her arms slip gradually from the girl's shoulders, and finds the phial containing the drops in her left hand. A long shudder_.) Give me the drops.

Ellen.

How you s.n.a.t.c.h! Here they are. (Beata _turns the phial about in her hand_.) Mother, are we really going to Rossitsch, this evening?

Beata (_nodding_).

Yes.

Ellen.

In midwinter? Why do we go?

Beata.

H'm----

Ellen.

What will Norbert say? It looks as though you wanted to separate us----

Beata.

Does it? Does it really look so?

Ellen.

No, no, no--forgive me! No.

Beata.

But others might want to separate you--for life--for life, Ellen! Do you understand?

Ellen.

Mother!

Beata.

Shall I tell you what to do if ever that happens? Wait till you are of age, and then go to him wherever he is, and say: "My mother sent me."

Do you see?