ACT II.
Scene same as Act I. It is evening; only a slight glow of sunset still shines through the windows.
[Marie and Theresa discovered.]
THERESA.
[Bringing in a lighted lamp.] Miss Marie! Miss Marie!--What is she staring at all the time? Miss Marie!
MARIE [starting.]
[From the window.] What do you want?
THERESA.
Shall I lay the supper?
MARIE.
Not yet.
THERESA.
It's half-past seven.
MARIE.
And he left at half-past six. The performance must have been over long ago. She will not come.
THERESA.
Who? Is any one coming to supper?
MARIE.
No, no, no. [As Theresa is going.] Theresa! do you suppose you could pick a couple of bouquets in the garden?
THERESA.
I might try, but I couldn't tell what I was getting. It's almost pitch dark.
MARIE.
Yes, yes. You may go.
THERESA.
Shall I try to pick the flowers, or--
MARIE.
No--thank you, no.
THERESA.
[Aside.] What is the matter with her?
[Exit.
Enter Mrs. Schwartze.
MRS. SCHWARTZE.
Well, Marie, whatever happens I've put on my other cap,--the one with the ribbons. Is it straight?
MARIE.
Yes, mamma dear, very nice.
MRS. SCHWARTZE.
Hasn't Aunt Frankie come up yet?
MARIE.
No.
MRS. SCHWARTZE.
Heavens! I forgot the two gentlemen entirely. And papa has locked himself up, and will hear nothing and see nothing. Oh, if the General should be offended! It is our most aristocratic connection. That would be a misfortune indeed.
MARIE.
Oh, mamma dear, when he hears what is the matter!
MRS. SCHWARTZE.
Yes, yes, I know. And the pastor has not come either. Marie, one minute. If she should ask you--
MARIE.
Who?
MRS. SCHWARTZE.
Why, Magda.
MARIE.
Magda!
MRS. SCHWARTZE.
What am I to you, Marie? They call it stepmother. I'm more than that, am I not?
MARIE.
Certainly, mamma dear.
MRS. SCHWARTZE.
You see, then I could not get used to having two such big daughters. But it's all right now? [Marie nods.] And we do love each other?
MARIE.
Very much, mamma dear. [She kisses her.] Enter Franziska.
FRANZISKA.
[Irritably.] One's always disturbing these affecting tableaux!
MRS. SCHWARTZE.
What did the General say?
FRANZISKA.
The General? H'm, he was angry enough. "To leave us alone for an hour and a half, that's nice courtesy," he said. And I think myself--
MRS. SCHWARTZE.
[To Marie, very sadly.] There, what did I tell you?
FRANZISKA.
Well, this time I smoothed the thing over, so that the gentlemen went away in a good humor.
MRS. SCHWARTZE.
Really! Oh, I thank you, Frankie, a thousand times.
FRANZISKA.
Yes, I'm good enough to run errands and play the scullery-maid; but when it comes to being one of the family, an old aunt with her heart full of love--
MARIE.
Who has offended you, Aunt Frankie?
FRANZISKA.
Yes, that's very fine. But a little while ago, when I was so upset, no one troubled himself about me one bit. To guarantee an income so that our little miss can be married, I am--
MARIE.
Aunt Frankie!
FRANZISKA.
But as long as I live--
MRS. SCHWARTZE.
What are you talking about?
FRANZISKA.
We know, we two. And to-day. Who brought back your daughter to you?
MRS. SCHWARTZE.
But she hasn't yet--
FRANZISKA.
I brought back your daughter to you. And who thanks me for it? And who recognizes that I have pardoned her? For I have pardoned her [weeping] everything!
Enter Theresa, in great excitement.
MARIE.
What is it, Theresa?
THERESA.
I am so frightened--
MARIE.
What's the matter?
THERESA.
The carriage--
MARIE.
What carriage?
THERESA.
The same as last night.
MARIE.
Is it there? Is it there? [Runs to the window.] Mamma, mamma, come, she's there--the carriage--
MRS. SCHWARTZE.
Why, there is a carriage.
MARIE.
[Beating on the door at the left.] Papa, papa! Come quickly, be merciful, come quickly!
[Exit Theresa at a sign from Franziska.] Enter Schwartze.
SCHWARTZE.
What's the matter?
MARIE.
Magda--the carriage!
SCHWARTZE.
Good God! [Hurries to the window.]
MARIE.
Look--look! She's standing up! She's trying to look into the windows. [Clapping her hands.] Papa! papa!
SCHWARTZE.
What is it you have to say?
MARIE.
[Frightened.] I? Nothing.
SCHWARTZE.
Perhaps you were going to say, "She stood before your door and you would not open it." Eh?
MARIE.
Yes, yes.
SCHWARTZE.
Do you hear, wife? She stands before our door. Shall we--in spite of our pride--shall we call her in?
MRS. SCHWARTZE.
Oh, Leopold, since everybody thinks so much of her--
MARIE.
Ah! She's driving away!
SCHWARTZE.
No, no, she's not. Come, we will bring her to you.
FRANZISKA.
Yes, yes, bring her to me, too.
[Exit Schwartze and Mrs. Schwartze.
MARIE.
She's sitting back again! If only the carriage doesn't-- What a long time they are! They must have got downstairs. [Frightened, almost beside herself.] There--there--oh, don't go away! Magda! Magda!
FRANZISKA.
Don't scream so! What's the matter?
MARIE.
She's looking round. She's seen them. She's stopping. She's bursting open the door. She's jumped out! Now! Now! She's in father's arms! [Covers her face and sobs.] Oh, Aunt Frankie! Aunt Frankie!
FRANZISKA.
What else could a father do? Since I have forgiven her, he could not--he could not hold out--
MARIE.
She's between father and mother. Oh, how grand she is! She's coming--she's coming. What a homely little thing I shall seem beside her! Oh, I am so frightened! [Leans against the wall, left. A pause. Voices of Magda and her parents are heard outside.]
Enter Magda, brilliantly dressed, with a large mantle, and a Spanish veil on her head. She embraces Marie.