v. Daisy (her bearing pure and proud).
The night before he died I became--his wife. (A long pause.)
The Lady.
I hope you'll come and take tea with me in the near future, Herr von Wolters.
v. Wolters.
Pray, excuse me, but official duties will make it impossible for me to----
The Lady.
(Taken aback, but quickly recovering herself.) Thank you just the same. (A loud ring.)
v. Daisy (starts and looks at the clock).
There are the troops already.--Would you be so kind, Herr von Wolters--? Please let no one come in here. (v. Wolters bows and hurries out at the right.) May I take you out the back way, my lady? No one will see you--or at least, only my mother. (As the heavy steps of the soldiers are heard, to herself, in suppressed agony.) And meanwhile--they will--take the coffin--away! (Regaining possession of herself.) But wouldn't it be better to drop your veil? (The Lady does so.) And your roses--do take them! (The Lady snatches the roses from her hand.) This way, please. (She opens the door at the left and goes out slowly behind The Lady, her eyes turned longingly toward the room behind.)