The Lonely Way-Intermezzo-Countess Mizzie Part 84

Simply and solely as a means of winning you back.

AMADEUS

What makes you think...?

SIGISMUND

What...? That she has succeeded.

AMADEUS

No, Sigismund--she hadn't lost me--in spite of all that had happened.

In fact, I feel as if I had rather lost her than she--me.

SIGISMUND

That's awfully kind of you. But now--G.o.d be with you!

AMADEUS (_with something like emotion_)

And when shall we see you again?

SIGISMUND

I don't know. Perhaps never.---Please don't imagine that I might take my own life. I shall get over it, being still young.--Oh, my dear Master, if things could only become what they used to be, so that I could sit here at the fireplace while Cecilia was singing--or hammer away at the piano after supper...!

AMADEUS

Don't be quite so modest, please! The fame of your piano playing has reached Berlin even, I hear.

SIGISMUND

So she has told you that, too?!--But you see, dear Master, all that can never come back--we could no longer feel at ease with each other....

So--never to meet again!

AMADEUS

Never.... Why? Perhaps I shall see you very soon alone. I am also--going away.

SIGISMUND

I know. We were talking of it yesterday, in the dining car. You are to conduct your--number-which-one is it now?

AMADEUS

The fourth.

SIGISMUND

So you have got that far already?--And where are you going anyhow?

AMADEUS

To the Rhine district first of all; then by way of Munich to Italy--Venice, Milan, Rome.

SIGISMUND

Rome...? There we may possibly meet. But you'll have to pardon me for not coming to your concerts. So far I have not been able to understand your symphonies.... But I am sure I shall sometime! One does grow more and more clever, and sorrow and experiences in particular have a maturing influence.... "Now he's making fun of it," I suppose you are thinking. But, really, I am not in a very humorous mood. Farewell, my dear Master--and my most respectful compliments to your wife. (_He goes out_)

AMADEUS (_walks back and forth; takes a few deep breaths, as if relieved; goes out into the garden; returns; sits down at the piano and plays a few improvisations; gets up and goes to the writing desk, where he begins to look for something among the papers_) Where's that Solo?

... She's going to sing it, and I shall be present...! (_He seats himself at the piano again, apparently in a very happy mood_) Cecilia!... Cecilia!

CECILIA (_enters_)

AMADEUS (_rising_)

Ah, there you are at last, Cecilia!

CECELIA (_very calmly_)

Good-morning, Amadeus.

AMADEUS

A little late.

CECILIA (_smiling_)

Yes. (_She takes off her hat and goes to the mirror to arrange her hair_)

AMADEUS

What made you get out so early?

CECILIA

Various things I had to attend to.

AMADEUS

And may one ask...?

CECILIA

One may.--Look here, what I have got for you. (_She takes a letter from a small bag_)

AMADEUS