CHAMBERMAID (goes out)
AMADEUS (walks quickly to and fro, but stops at some distance from the door when Sigismund enters)
SIGISMUND (is slender, blonde, twenty-six, elegantly dressed, but appears in no respect foppish; he bows to Amadeus) Good-morning.
AMADEUS (takes a few steps forward to meet him and nods politely)
SIGISMUND (looks around a little shyly, but wholly free from any ridiculous embarrassment; his manner is in every respect dignified; there is a slight smile on his face) We have not seen each other for some time, and you'll probably assume that my visit to-day has a special reason.
AMADEUS
Naturally. (Pointing to a chair) Please.
SIGISMUND
Thank you. (He comes nearer, but remains standing) I have decided to take this step—which has not come easy to me, I can assure you—because I find the situation in which we ... in which all of us have been placed, untenable and, in a certain sense, ridiculous ... and because I think that, in one way or another, it should be brought to an end. The sole object of my visit is to put before you a proposition.
AMADEUS