SCENE X.
Franziska (with a letter in her hand), Major von Tellheim, Paul Werner
FRAN.
Major!!!!!
MAJ. T.
Franziska, I have not yet been able to give you a "Welcome" here.
FRAN.
In thought, I am sure that you have done it. I know you are friendly
to me; so am I to you. But it is not at all kind to vex those who are
friendly to you so much.
WER. (aside).
Ah! now I see it. It is so!
MAJ. T.
My destiny, Franziska! Did you give her the letter?
FRAN.
Yes; and here I bring you...
(holding out a letter).
MAJ. T.
An answer!
FRAN.
No, your own letter again.
MAJ. T.
What! She will not read it!
FRAN.
She would have liked, but—we can't read writing well.
MAJ. T.
You are joking!
FRAN.
And we think that writing was not invented for those who can converse
with their lips whenever they please.
MAJ. T.
What an excuse! She must read it. It contains my justification—all
the grounds and reasons!!!!!
FRAN.
My mistress wishes to hear them all from you yourself, not to read
them.
MAJ. T.
Hear them from me myself! That every look, every word of hers, may
embarrass me; that I may feel in every glance the greatness of my
loss.
FRAN.
Without any pity! Take it.
(Giving him his letter.)
She expects you at three o'clock. She wishes to drive out and see the
town; you must accompany her.
MAJ. T.
Accompany her!
FRAN.
And what will you give me to let you drive out by yourselves? I shall
remain at home.
MAJ. T.
By ourselves!
FRAN.
In a nice close carriage.
MAJ. T.
Impossible!
FRAN.
Yes, yes, in the carriage, Major. You will have to submit quietly; you
cannot escape there! And that is the reason. In short, you will come,
Major, and punctually at three.... Well, you wanted to speak to me
too alone. What have you to say to me? Oh! we are not alone.
(Looking at Werner.)
MAJ. T.
Yes, Franziska; as good as alone. But as your mistress has not read my
letter, I have nothing now to say to you.
FRAN.
As good as alone! Then you have no secrets from the Sergeant?
MAJ. T.
No, none.
FRAN.
And yet I think you should have some from him.
MAJ. T.
Why so?
WER.
How so, little woman?
FRAN.
Particularly secrets of a certain kind.... All twenty, Mr.
Sergeant!
(Holding up both her hands, with open fingers.)
WER.
Hist! hist! girl.
MAJ. T.
What is the meaning of that?
FRAN.
Presto! conjured on to his finger, Mr. Sergeant
(as if she was putting a ring on her fingers).
MAJ. T.
What are you talking about?
WER.
Little woman, little woman, don't you understand a joke?
MAJ. T.
Werner, you have not forgotten, I hope, what I have often told you;
that one should not jest beyond a certain point with a young woman!
WER.
Upon my life I may have forgotten it! Little woman, I beg!!!!!
FRAN.
Well, if it was a joke, I will forgive you this once.
MAJ. T.
Well, if I must come, Franziska, just see that your mistress reads my
letter beforehand? That will spare me the pain of thinking again—of
talking again, of things which I would willingly forget. There, give
it to her!
(He turns the letter in giving it to her, and sees that it has been
opened.)
But do I see aright? Why it has been opened.
FRAN.
That may be.
(Looks at it.)
True, it is open. Who can have opened it? But really we have not read
it, Major; really not. And we do not wish to read it, because the
writer is coming himself. Come; and I tell you what, Major! don't come
as you are now—in boots, and with such a head. You are excusable, you
do not expect us. Come in shoes, and have your hair fresh dressed. You
look too soldierlike, too Prussian for me as you are.
MAJ. T.
Thank you, Franziska.
FRAN.
You look as if you had been bivouacking last night.
MAJ. T.
You may have guessed right.
FRAN.
We are going to dress, directly too, and then have dinner. We would
willingly ask you to dinner, but your presence might hinder our
eating; and observe, we are not so much in love that we have lost our
appetites.
MAJ. T.
I will go. Prepare her somewhat, Franziska, beforehand, that I may not
become contemptible in her eyes, and in my own. Come, Werner, you
shall dine with me.
WER.
At the table d'hote here in the house? I could not eat a bit there.
MAJ. T.
With me, in my room.
WER.
I will follow you directly. One word first with the little woman.
MAJ. T.
I have no objection to that.
(Exit.)
SCENE XI.
Paul Werner, Franziska
FRAN.
Well, Mr. Sergeant!
WER.
Little woman, if I come again, shall I too come smartened up a bit?
FRAN.
Come as you please: my eyes will find no fault with you. But my ears
will have to be so much the more on their guard. Twenty fingers, all
full of rings. Ah! ah! Mr. Sergeant!
WER.
No, little woman; that is just what I wished to say to you. I only
rattled on a little. There is nothing in it. One ring is quite enough
for a man. Hundreds and hundreds of times I have heard the Major say—
"He must be a rascally soldier, who can mislead a young girl." So
think I too, little woman. You may trust to that! I must be quick and
follow him. A good appetite to you.
(Exit.)
FRAN.
The same to you! I really believe, I like that man!
(Going in, she meets Minna coming out.)
SCENE XII.
Minna, Franziska
MIN.
Has the Major gone already, Franziska? I believe I should have been
sufficiently composed again now to have detained him here.
FRAN.
And I will make you still more composed.
MIN.
So much the better! His letter! oh! his letter! Each line spoke the
honourable noble man. Each refusal to accept my hand declared his love
for me. I suppose he noticed that we had read his letter. I don't mind
that, if he does but come. But are you sure he will come? There only
seems to me to be a little too much pride in his conduct. For not to
be willing to be indebted for his good fortune, even to the woman he
loves, is pride, unpardonable pride! If he shows me too much of this,
Franziska!!!!!
FRAN.
You will discard him!
MIN.
See there! Do you begin to pity him again already! No, silly girl, a
man is never discarded for a single fault. No; but I have thought of a
trick to pay him off a little for this pride, with pride of the same
kind.
FRAN.
Indeed, you must be very composed, my lady, if you are thinking of
tricks again.
MIN.
I am so; come. You will have a part to play in my plot.
(Exeunt.)
ACT IV.
SCENE I.
Minna's Room.
Minna (dressed handsomely and richly, but in good taste), Franziska
(They have just risen from a table, which a servant is clearing.)
FRAN.
You cannot possibly have eaten enough, my lady.
MIN.
Don't you think so, Franziska? Perhaps I had no appetite when I sat
down.
FRAN.
We had agreed not to mention him during dinner. We should have
resolved likewise, not to think of him.
MIN.
Indeed, I have thought of nothing but him.
FRAN.
So I perceived. I began to speak of a hundred different things, and
you made wrong answers to each.
(Another servant brings coffee.)
Here comes a beverage more suited to fancies—sweet, melancholy
coffee.
MIN.
Fancies! I have none. I am only thinking of the lesson I will give
him. Did you understand my plan, Franziska?
FRAN.
Oh! yes; but it would be better if he spared us the putting it in
execution.
MIN.
You will see that I know him thoroughly. He who refuses me now with
all my wealth, will contend for me against the whole world, as soon as
he hears that I am unfortunate and friendless.
FRAN. (seriously).
That must tickle the most refined self-love.
MIN.
You moralist! First you convict me of vanity—now of self-love. Let me
do as I please, Franziska. You, too, shall do as you please with your
Sergeant.
FRAN.
With my Sergeant?
MIN.
Yes. If you deny it altogether, then it is true. I have not seen him
yet; but from all you have said respecting him, I foretell your
husband for you.
SCENE II.
Riccaut De La Marliniere, Minna, Franziska
RIC. (before he enters).
Est-il permis, Monsieur le Major?
FRAN.
Who is that? Any one for us?
(going to the door).
RIC.
Parbleu! I am wrong. Mais non—I am not wrong. C'est la chambre!!!!!
FRAN.
Without doubt, my lady, this gentleman expects to find Major von
Tellheim here still.
RIC.
Oui, dat is it! Le Major de Tellheim; juste, ma belle enfant, c'est
lui que je cherche. Ou est-il?
FRAN.
He does not lodge here any longer.
RIC.
Comment? Dere is four-and-twenty hour ago he did lodge here, and not
lodge here any more? Where lodge he den?
MIN. (going up to him).
Sir!!!!!
RIC.
Ah! Madame, Mademoiselle, pardon, lady.
MIN.
Sir, your mistake is quite excusable, and your astonishment very
natural. Major von Tellheim has had the kindness to give up his
apartments to me, as a stranger, who was not able to get them
elsewhere.
RIC.
Ah! voila de ses politesses! C'est un tres-galant homme que ce Major!
MIN.
Where has he gone now?—truly I am ashamed that I do not know.
RIC.
Madame not know? C'est dommage; j'en suis fache.
MIN.
I certainly ought to have inquired. Of course his friends will seek
him here.
RIC.
I am vary great his friend, Madame.
MIN.
Franziska, do you not know?
FRAN.
No, my lady.
RIC.
It is vary necessaire dat I speak him. I come and bring him a
nouvelle, of which he will be vary much at ease.
MIN.
I regret it so much the more. But I hope to see him perhaps shortly.
If it is a matter of indifference from whom he hears this good news, I
would offer, sir!!!!!
RIC.
I comprehend. Mademoiselle parle francais? Mais sans doute; telle que
je la vois! La demande etait bien impolie; vous me pardonnerez,
Mademoiselle.
MIN.
Sir!!!!!
RIC.
No! You not speak French, Madame?
MIN.
Sir, in France I would endeavour to do so; but why here? I perceive
that you understand me, sir; and I, sir, shall doubtless understand
you; speak as you please.
RIC.
Good, good! I can also explain me in your langue. Sachez donc,
Mademoiselle, you must know, Madame, dat I come from de table of de
ministre, ministre de, ministre de... What is le ministre out dere,
in de long street, on de broad place?
MIN.
I am a perfect stranger here.
RIC.
Si, le ministre of de war departement. Dere I have eat my dinner; I
ordinary dine dere, and de conversation did fall on Major Tellheim; et
le ministre m'a dit en confidence, car Son Excellence est de mes amis,
et il n'y a point de mysteres entre nous; Son Excellence, I say, has
trust to me, dat l'affaire from our Major is on de point to end, and
to end good. He has made a rapport to de king, and de king has
resolved et tout a fait en faveur du Major. "Monsieur," m'a dit Son
Excellence, "vous comprenez bien, que tout depend de la maniere, dont
on fait envisager les choses au roi, et vous me connaissez. Cela fait
un tres-joli garcon que ce Tellheim, et ne sais-je pas que vous
l'aimez? Les amis de mes amis sont aussi les miens. Il coute un peu
cher au Roi ce Tellheim, mais est-ce que l'on sert les rois pour rien?
Il faut s'entr'aider en ce monde; et quand il s'agit de pertes, que ce
soit le Roi qui en fasse, et non pas un honnete homme de nous autres.
Voila le principe, dont je ne me depars jamais." But what say Madame
to it? N'est pas, dat is a fine fellow! Ah! que Son Excellence a le
coeur bien place! He assure me au reste, if de Major has not recu
already une lettre de la main—a royal letter, dat to-day
infailliblement must he receive one.
MIN.
Certainly, sir, this news will be most welcome to Major von Tellheim.
I should like to be able to name the friend to him, who takes such an
interest in his welfare.
RIC.
Madame, you wish my name? Vous voyez en moi—you see, lady, in me, le
Chevalier Riccaut de la Marliniere, Seigneur de Pret-au-val, de la
branche de Prens d'or. You remain astonished to hear me from so great,
great a family, qui est veritablement du sang royal. Il faut le dire;
je suis sans doute le cadet le plus aventureux que la maison n'a
jamais eu. I serve from my eleven year. Une affaire d'honneur make me
flee. Den I serve de holy Papa of Rome, den de Republic St. Marino,
den de Poles, den de States General, till enfin I am brought her. Ah!
Mademoiselle, que je voudrais n'avoir jamais vu ce pays-ci! Had one
left me in de service of de States General, should I be now at least
colonel. But here always to remain capitaine, and now also a
discharged capitaine.
MIN.
That is ill luck.
RIC.
Oui, Mademoiselle, me voila reforme, et par la mis sur le pave!
MIN.
I am very sorry for you.
RIC.
Vous etes bien bonne, Mademoiselle.... No, merit have no reward
here. Reformer a man, like me! A man who also have ruin himself in dis
service! I have lost in it so much as twenty thousand livres. What
have I now? Tranchons le mot; je n'ai pas le sou, et me voila
exactement vis-a-vis de rien.
MIN.
I am exceedingly sorry.
RIC.
Vous etes bien bonne, Mademoiselle, But as one say—misfortune never
come alone! qu'un malheur ne vient jamais seul: so it arrive with me.
What ressource rests for an honnete homme of my extraction, but play?
Now, I always played with luck, so long I not need her. Now I very
much need her, je joue avec un guignon, Mademoiselle, que surpasse
toute croyance. For fifteen days, not one is passed, dat I always am
broke. Yesterday, I was broke dree times. Je sais bien, qu'il y avait
quelque chose de plus que le jeu. Car parmi mes pontes se trouvaient
certaines dames. I will not speak more. One must be very galant to les
dames. Dey have invite me again to-day, to give me revanche; mais—
vous m'entendez, Mademoiselle,—one must first have to live, before
one can have to play.
MIN.
I hope, sir!!!!!
RIC.
Vous etes bien bonne, Mademoiselle.
MIN. (Takes Franziska aside.)
Franziska, I really feel for the man. Would he take it ill, if I offer
him something?
FRAN.
He does not look to me like a man who would.
MIN.
Very well! Sir, I perceive that—you play, that you keep the bank;
doubtless in places where something is to be won. I must also confess
that I... am very fond of play.
RIC.
Tant mieux, Mademoiselle, tant mieux! Tous les gens d'esprit aiment le
jeu a la fureur.
MIN.
That I am very fond of winning; that I like to trust my money to a
man, who—knows how to play. Are you inclined, sir, to let me join
you? To let me have a share in your bank?
RIC.
Comment, Mademoiselle, vous voulez etre de moitie avec moi? De tout
mon coeur.
MIN.
At first, only with a trifle.
(Opens her desk and takes out some money.)
RIC.
Ah! Mademoiselle, que vous etes charmante!
MIN.
Here is what I won a short time back; only ten pistoles. I am ashamed,
so little!!!!!
RIC.
Donnez toujours, Mademoiselle, donnez.
(Takes it.)
MIN.
Without doubt, your bank, sir, is very considerable.
RIC.
Oh! yes, vary considerable. Ten pistoles! You shall have, Madame, an
interest in my bank for one third, pour le tiers. Yes, one third part
it shall be—something more. With a beautiful lady one must not be too
exac. I rejoice myself, to make by that a liaison with Madame, et de
ce moment je recommence a bien augurer de ma fortune.
MIN.
But I cannot be present, sir, when you play.
RIC.
For why it necessaire dat you be present? We other players are
honourable people between us.
MIN.
If we are fortunate, sir, you will of course bring me my share. If we
are unfortunate!!!!!
RIC.
I come to bring recruits, n'est pas, Madame?
MIN.
In time recruits might fail. Manage our money well, sir.
RIC.
What does Madame think me? A simpleton, a stupid devil?
MIN.
I beg your pardon.
RIC.
Je suis des bons, Mademoiselle. Savez vous ce que cela veut dire? I am
of the quite practised!!!!!
MIN.
But still, sir,!!!!!
RIC.
Je sais monter un coup!!!!!
MIN. (amazed).
Could you?
RIC.
Je file la carte avec une adresse.
MIN.
Never!
RIC.
Je fais sauter la coupe avec une dexterite.
MIN.
You surely would not, sir!!!!!!
RIC.
What not, Madame; what not? Donnes moi un pigeonneau a plumer, et!!!!!
MIN.
Play false! Cheat!
RIC.
Comment, Mademoiselle? Vous appelez cela cheat? Corriger la fortune,
l'enchainer sous ses doigts, etre sur de son fait, dat you call cheat?
Cheat! Oh! what a poor tongue is your tongue! what an awkward tongue!
MIN.
No, sir, if you think so!!!!!
RIC.
Laissez-moi faire, Mademoiselle, and be tranquille! What matter to you
how I play! Enough! to-morrow, Madame, you see me again or with
hundred pistol, or you see no more. Votre tres-humble, Mademoiselle,
votre tres humble.
(Exit quickly.)
MIN. (looking after him with astonishment and displeasure).
I hope the latter, sir.
SCENE III.
Minna and Franziska
FRAN. (angrily).
What can I say? Oh! how grand! how grand!
MIN.
Laugh at me; I deserve it.
(After reflecting, more calmly.)
No, do not laugh; I do not deserve it.
FRAN.
Excellent! You have done a charming act—set a knave upon his legs
again.
MIN.
It was intended for an unfortunate man.
FRAN.
And what is the best part of it, the fellow considers you like
himself. Oh! I must follow him, and take the money from him.
(Going.)
MIN.
Franziska, do not let the coffee get quite cold; pour it out.
FRAN.
He must return it to you; you have thought better of it; you will not
play in partnership with him. Ten pistoles! You heard, my lady, that
he was a beggar!
(Minna pours out the coffee herself.)
Who would give such a sum to a beggar? And to endeavour, into the
bargain, to save him the humiliation of having begged for it! The
charitable woman who, out of generosity, mistakes the beggar, is in
return mistaken by the beggar. It serves you right, my lady, if he
considers your gift as—I know not what.
(Minna hands a cup of coffee to Franziska.)
Do you wish to make my blood boil still more? I do not want any.
(Minna puts it down again.)
"Parbleu, Madame, merit have no reward here"
(imitating the Frenchman).
I think not, when such rogues are allowed to walk about unhanged.
MIN. (coldly and slowly, while sipping her coffee).
Girl, you understand good men very well; but when will you learn to
bear with the bad? And yet they are also men; and frequently not so
bad as they seem. One should look for their good side. I fancy this
Frenchman is nothing worse than vain. Through mere vanity he gives
himself out as a false player; he does not wish to appear under an
obligation to one; he wishes to save himself the thanks. Perhaps he
may now go, pay his small debts, live quietly and frugally on the rest
as far as it will go, and think no more of play. If that be so,
Franziska, let him come for recruits whenever he pleases.
(Gives her cup to Franziska.)
There, put it down! But, tell me, should not Tellheim be here by this
time?
FRAN.
No, my lady, I can neither find out the bad side in a good man, nor
the good side in a bad man.
MIN.
Surely he will come!
FRAN.
He ought to remain away! You remark in him—in him, the best of me—a
little pride; and therefore you intend to tease him so cruelly!
MIN.
Are you at it again? Be silent! I will have it so. Woe to you if you
spoil this fun of mine... if you do not say and do all, as we have
agreed. I will leave you with him alone; and then—but here he comes.
SCENE IV.
Paul Werner (comes in, carrying himself very erect as if on duty),
Minna, Franziska
FRAN.
No, it is only his dear Sergeant.
MIN.
Dear Sergeant! Whom does the "dear" refer to?
FRAN.
Pray, my lady, do not make the man embarrassed. Your servant, Mr.
Sergeant; what news do you bring us?
WER. (goes up to Minna, without noticing Franziska).
Major von Tellheim begs to present, through me, Sergeant Werner, his
most respectful compliments to Fraulein von Barnhelm, and to inform
her that he will be here directly.
MIN.
Where is he then?
WER.
Your ladyship will pardon him; we left our quarters before it began to
strike three; but the paymaster met us on the way; and because
conversation with those gentlemen has no end, the Major made me a sign
to report the case to your ladyship.
MIN.
Very well, Mr. Sergeant. I only hope the paymaster may have good news
for him.
WER.
Such gentlemen seldom have good news for officers.—Has your ladyship
any orders?
(Going.)
FRAN.
Why, where are you going again, Mr. Sergeant? Had not we something to
say to each other?
WER. (In a whisper to Franziska, and seriously).
Not here, little woman; it is against respect, against discipline.
... Your ladyship!!!!!
MIN.
Thank you for your trouble. I am glad to have made your acquaintance.
Franziska has spoken in high praise of you to me.
(Werner makes a stiff bow, and goes.)