Tiefenbach. Ay! 'twas a royal feast indeed. 5
Goetz. Yes, my Lady Countess understands these matters.
Her mother-in-law, heaven rest her soul, taught her!—Ah!
that was a housewife for you!
Tiefenbach. There was not her like in all Bohemia for setting
out a table. 10
Octavio (aside to Maradas). Do me the favour to talk to
me—talk of what you will—or of nothing. Only preserve the
appearance at least of talking. I would not wish to stand by
myself, and yet I conjecture that there will be goings on here
worthy of our attentive observation. [15]
Isolani (on the point of going). Lights! lights!
Tertsky (advances with the paper to Isolani). Noble brother!
two minutes longer!—Here is something to subscribe.
Isolani. Subscribe as much as you like—but you must excuse
me from reading it. 20
Tertsky. There is no need. It is the oath which you have
already read.—Only a few marks of your pen!
[Isolani hands over the paper to Octavio respectfully.
Tertsky. Nay, nay, first come first served. There is no
precedence here.