(Stepping back.) Forgive me.... Excuse me.... I can’t just now.
Otto
That’s strange; I simply can’t understand it. After all, this war is no business of ours; it’s over our heads; it’s beyond us. However, I mustn’t take it ill of you; and I can only say, like Antigone, “I take part in love and not in hatred.” But what’s the time? Eleven o’clock? Perhaps we might let Isabelle know, if she really isn’t ill? You can imagine how eager I am to see her after this long separation and after all that has happened.
The Burgomaster
I will send the maid up to her. (He rings. Enter the Footman, who takes the Burgomaster’s orders and exit.) Have you any news of my son?
Otto
Of Odilon? No, isn’t he here?
The Burgomaster
No, they did not let us know of their plans, as they did you; we weren’t told what they were going to do; and so he stopped at Cologne. We are rather uneasy about him.
Otto