6th Student. Both of them! Heaven's love, speak
softly, speak within yourselves!135
5th Student. Look at the bridegroom! Half his hair
in storm and half in calm—patted down over the left
temple—like a frothy cup one blows on to cool it! and
the same old blouse that he murders the marble in!
2nd Student. Not a rich vest like yours, Hannibal140
Scratchy!—rich, that your face may the better set it off.
6th Student. And the bride! Yes, sure enough, our
Phene! Should you have known her in her clothes?
How magnificently pale!
Gottlieb. She does not also take it for earnest, I145
hope?
1st Student. Oh, Natalia's concern, that is! We settle
with Natalia.
6th Student. She does not speak—has evidently let
out no word. The only thing is, will she equally remember150
the rest of her lesson, and repeat correctly all those
verses which are to break the secret to Jules?
Gottlieb. How he gazes on her! Pity—pity!
1st Student. They go in; now, silence! You three—not
nearer the window, mind, than that pomegranate—just155
where the little girl, who a few minutes ago passed
us singing, is seated!