I should like to have made your wife's acquaintance. Why doesn't she appear at all?
HOFFMANN
[Cutting off the end of a fresh cigar.] Well, in her condition, you understand … women won't abandon their vanity. Come, let's go and take a few turns in the garden.—Edward, serve coffee in the arbour!
EDWARD
Very well, sir.
[HOFFMANN and LOTH disappear by way of the conservatory. EDWARD leaves by way of the middle door and MIELE, immediately thereafter, goes out, carrying a tray of dishes, by the same door. For a few seconds the room is empty. Then enters
HELEN
[Wrought up, with tear-stained eyes, holding her handkerchief against her mouth. From the middle door, by which she has entered, she takes a few hasty steps to the left and listens at the door of HOFFMANN'S room.] Oh, don't go! [Hearing nothing there, she hastens over to the door of the conservatory, where she also listens for a few moments with tense expression. Folding her hands and in a tone of impassioned beseeching.] Oh, don't go! Don't go!