Frau v. Brook.
Your Highness, I am very much----
The Princess.
(Examining herself and searching among the vases.) Well, how are we going to manage it?
Strübel.
I most humbly thank--your Highness--for the kind intention.
The Princess.
No, no--wait! (Her glance falls upon the hat which she is holding in her hand with a sudden thought.) I have it!--But don't think that I'm joking.--And we'll have to do without scissors! (She tears one of the roses from the hat.) I don't know whether there are just twenty (Holding out one of the roses to him.) Well?--This rose has the merit of being just as real as the sentiment of which we were speaking before--and just as unfading.
Strübel.
Is this--to be--my punishment? (The Princess smilingly shakes her head.) Or does your Highness mean by it that only the Unreal never fades?