The Lonely Way-Intermezzo-Countess Mizzie Part 97

What moment?

MIZZIE

Have you forgotten already? As soon as he had pa.s.sed his examinations, you meant to reveal yourself as his father.

PRINCE

So I have done already.

MIZZIE

You--have told him already?

PRINCE

I have.

MIZZIE (_after a pause, without looking at him_)

And his mother--is dead...?

PRINCE

She is--so far.

MIZZIE

And forever. (_Rising_)

PRINCE

As you please.

[_The Count enters, followed by the valet._

VALET

But it was Your Grace who said that Joseph could be free.

COUNT

Yes, yes, it's all right.

VALET (_goes out_)

MIZZIE

What's the matter, papa?

COUNT

Nothing, my girl, nothing. I wanted to get somewhere quick--and that infernal Joseph.... If you don't mind, Mizzie, I want to have a few words with Egon.... (_To the Prince_) Do you know, she has been trying to get me before. I mean Lolo. But she couldn't get the number. And now Laura telephones--oh, well, that's her maid, you know--that she has just started on her way here.

PRINCE

Here? To see you?

COUNT

Yes.

PRINCE

But why?

COUNT

Oh, I think I can guess. You see, she has never put her foot in this place, of course, and I have been promising her all the time that she could come here once to have a look at the house and the park before she married. Her standing grievance has always been that I couldn't receive her here. On account of Mizzie, you know. Which she has understood perfectly well. And to sneak her in here some time when Mizzie was not at home--well, for that kind of thing I have never had any taste. And so she sends me a telephone message, that the marriage is set for the day after to-morrow, and that she is on her way here now.

PRINCE

Well, what of it? She is not coming here as your mistress, and so I can't see that you have any reason for embarra.s.sment.

COUNT

But to-day of all days--and with your son due at any moment.

PRINCE

You can leave him to me.

COUNT

But I don't want it. I'm going to meet the carriage and see if I can stop her. It makes me nervous. You'll have to ask your son to excuse me for a little while. Good-by, Mizzie. I'll be back right away. (_He goes out_)

PRINCE

Miss Lolo has sent word that she's coming to call, and your papa doesn't like it.

MIZZIE

What's that? Has Lolo sent word? Is she coming here?

PRINCE

Your father has been promising her a chance to look over the place before she was married. And now he has gone to meet the carriage in order to steer her off.

MIZZIE