"And?"
"Well, I objected to such a cut and said: 'Nonsense, Herr Graf.' Thereupon he sat down, pronouncing not another word more."
"And what did he do to-day?"
"He did nothing. He did not even come. During the first act a letter from the First Master of Ceremonies was delivered, saying that he forbade the performance to go on."
"But how is it possible to treat the public in this way?"
"Oh, the public!"
He shrugged his shoulders and went on explaining:
"They are not supposed to be regular spectators as in an ordinary theatre. They are the guests of the Emperor, and they, as it were, buy an invitation to assist at the performance, which is in reality supposed to be given not for the general public, but for the private pleasure of His Majesty."
"And was there nothing to be done?"
"We have tried, that is why we had to keep the audience waiting so long. The conductor hurried to the First Master of Ceremonies, and the Manager to His Majesty himself, while I drove to the palace of the Archduke. I was not received at all, nor did the manager see the Emperor, and as for the conductor, he was told by the First Master of Ceremonies that he regretted, but had to obey orders."