Minna Von Barnhelm Part 24

FRAN.

You will discard him!

MIN.

See there! Do you begin to pity him again already! No, silly girl, a man is never discarded for a single fault. No; but I have thought of a trick to pay him off a little for this pride, with pride of the same kind.

FRAN.

Indeed, you must be very composed, my lady, if you are thinking of tricks again.

MIN.

I am so; come. You will have a part to play in my plot.

(Exeunt.)

ACT IV.

SCENE I.

Minna's Room.

Minna (dressed handsomely and richly, but in good taste), Franziska (They have just risen from a table, which a servant is clearing.)

FRAN.

You cannot possibly have eaten enough, my lady.

MIN.

Don't you think so, Franziska? Perhaps I had no appet.i.te when I sat down.

FRAN.

We had agreed not to mention him during dinner. We should have resolved likewise, not to think of him.

MIN.

Indeed, I have thought of nothing but him.

FRAN.

So I perceived. I began to speak of a hundred different things, and you made wrong answers to each.

(Another servant brings coffee.) Here comes a beverage more suited to fancies--sweet, melancholy coffee.

MIN.

Fancies! I have none. I am only thinking of the lesson I will give him. Did you understand my plan, Franziska?

FRAN.

Oh! yes; but it would be better if he spared us the putting it in execution.

MIN.

You will see that I know him thoroughly. He who refuses me now with all my wealth, will contend for me against the whole world, as soon as he hears that I am unfortunate and friendless.

FRAN. (seriously).

That must tickle the most refined self-love.

MIN.

You moralist! First you convict me of vanity--now of self-love. Let me do as I please, Franziska. You, too, shall do as you please with your Sergeant.

FRAN.

With my Sergeant?

MIN.

Yes. If you deny it altogether, then it is true. I have not seen him yet; but from all you have said respecting him, I foretell your husband for you.

SCENE II.

Riccaut De La Marliniere, Minna, Franziska

RIC. (before he enters).

Est-il permis, Monsieur le Major?

FRAN.

Who is that? Any one for us?

(going to the door).

RIC.

Parbleu! I am wrong. Mais non--I am not wrong. C'est la chambre!!!!!

FRAN.

Without doubt, my lady, this gentleman expects to find Major von Tellheim here still.

RIC.

Oui, dat is it! Le Major de Tellheim; juste, ma belle enfant, c'est lui que je cherche. Ou est-il?

FRAN.

He does not lodge here any longer.

RIC.

Comment? Dere is four-and-twenty hour ago he did lodge here, and not lodge here any more? Where lodge he den?

MIN. (going up to him).

Sir!!!!!

RIC.

Ah! Madame, Mademoiselle, pardon, lady.

MIN.

Sir, your mistake is quite excusable, and your astonishment very natural. Major von Tellheim has had the kindness to give up his apartments to me, as a stranger, who was not able to get them elsewhere.

RIC.

Ah! voila de ses politesses! C'est un tres-galant homme que ce Major!