MAGDA.
Oh, yes. Fear nothing. [Kisses her on the forehead.] Everything will come out well, so well--no, no, no. [In weary bitterness.] Everything will come out quite well. [Exit, left. Marie goes into the dining-room.]
Enter Schwartze. He takes out a pistol-case and opens it. Takes a pistol, cocks it with difficulty, examines the barrel, and aims at a point on the wall. His arm trembles violently. He strikes it angrily, and lets the pistol sink. Enter Max.
SCHWARTZE.
[Without turning.] Who's there?
MAX.
It's I, uncle.
SCHWARTZE.
Max? Ah, you may come in.
MAX.
Uncle, Marie told me-- What are the pistols for, uncle?
SCHWARTZE.
Ah, they used to be fine pistols,--beautiful pistols. See, boy, with this I have hit the ace of hearts at twenty paces, or say fifteen. And fifteen would be enough. We ought to have been in the garden already, but--but [helplessly touches his trembling arm, almost in tears]--but I can nevermore--
MAX.
[Hurrying to him.] Uncle? [They embrace each other for a moment.]
SCHWARTZE.
It's all right,--it's all right.
MAX.
Uncle, I need not say that I take your place, that I meet any man you point out; it is my right.
SCHWARTZE.
Yours,--why? In what capacity? Will you marry into a disgraced family?
MAX.
Uncle!
SCHWARTZE.
Are you prepared to strip off the uniform of our regiment? Yes, I might set up a gambling-house, and you could play the stool-pigeon for a living. There is no knowing what we might do. What! you, with your beautiful name, your noble name, propose this sacrifice,--and I to profit by it! Ha, ha! No, my boy; even if you still were willing, I am not. This house and all within are marked for ruin. Go your way from it. With the name of Schwartze you have nothing more to do.
MAX.
Uncle, I demand that you--
SCHWARTZE.
Hush! Not now! [Motions to the door.] Soon I may need you as one needs a friend in such affairs, but not now--not now. First I must find the gentleman. He was not at home--the gentleman was not at home. But he shall not think he has escaped me. If he is out a second time, then, my son, your work begins. Until then, be patient,--be patient.
Enter Theresa from hall.
THERESA.
Councillor von Keller. [Schwartze starts.]
MAX.
He here! How--
SCHWARTZE.
Let him come in. [Exit Theresa.
MAX.
Uncle! [Points to himself in great excitement. Schwartze shakes his head, and signs to Max to leave the room. Enter Von Keller. Exit Max. They meet in the doorway. Von Keller greets Max courteously. Max restrains himself from insulting him.]
VON KELLER.
Colonel, I am grieved at having missed you. When I returned from the Casino, where I am always to be found at noon,--where, I say, I am always to be found,--your card lay on the table; and as I imagine that there are matters of importance to be discussed between us, I made haste--as I say, I have made haste--
SCHWARTZE.
Councillor, I do not know whether in this house there should be a chair for you, but since you have come here so quickly, you must be tired. I beg you to be seated.
VON KELLER.
Thanks. [Sits down, near the open pistol-case, starts as he sees it, watches the Colonel apprehensively.] H'm!
SCHWARTZE.
Now, have you nothing to say to me?
VON KELLER.
Allow me first one question: Did your daughter, after our conversation, say anything to you about me?
SCHWARTZE.
Councillor, have you nothing to say to me?
VON KELLER.
Oh, certainly, I have a great deal to say to you. I would gladly, for instance, express to you a wish, a request; but I don't quite know whether-- Won't you tell me, at least, has your daughter spoken of me at all favorably?
SCHWARTZE.
[Angrily.] I must know, sir, how we stand, in what light I am to treat you.
VON KELLER.
Oh, pardon me, now I understand-- [Working himself up.] Colonel, you see in me a man who takes life earnestly. The days of a light youth-- [Schwartze looks up angrily.] Pardon me, I meant to say--since early this morning a holier and, if I may say so, a more auspicious resolution has arisen within me. Colonel, I am not a man of many words. I have already wandered from the point. As one man of honor to another, or-- in short, Colonel, I have the honor to ask you for the hand of your daughter. [Schwartze sits motionless, breathing heavily.] Pardon me, you do not answer--am I perhaps not worthy--
SCHWARTZE.
[Groping for his hand.] No, no, no; not that,--not that. I am an old man. These last hours have been a little too much for me. Don't mind me.
VON KELLER.
H'm, h'm!
SCHWARTZE.
[Rising, and closing the lid of the pistol-case.] Give me your hand, my young friend. You have brought heavy sorrow upon me,--heavy sorrow. But you have promptly and bravely made it good. Give me the other hand. So, so! And now do you wish to speak to her also? You will have much to say. Eh?
VON KELLER.
If I might be allowed.
SCHWARTZE.
[Opens the hall-door and speaks off, then opens the door, left.] Magda!
Enter Magda.