Countess. You mean, you'd rather keep him wholly here?
Thekla. Yes! you have hit it, aunt! That is my meaning. [15]
Leave him here wholly! Tell the company—
Countess. What? have you lost your senses, niece?—
Count, you remember the conditions. Come!
Max (to Thekla). Lady, I must obey. Farewell, dear lady! [Thekla turns away from him with a quick motion.
What say you then, dear lady?
Thekla (without looking at him). Nothing. Go! 20
Max. Can I, when you are angry——
[He draws up to her, their eyes meet, she stands silent a moment, then throws herself into his arms; he presses her fast to his heart.
Countess. Off! Heavens! if any one should come!
Hark! What's that noise? It comes this way.——Off!
[Max tears himself away out of her arms, and goes. The Countess accompanies him. Thekla follows him with her eyes at first, walks restlessly across the room, then stops, and remains standing, lost in thought. A guitar lies on the table, she seizes it as by a sudden emotion, and after she has played a while an irregular and melancholy symphony, she falls gradually into the music and sings.
