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mother--is dead--).
Prince: Provisionally dead.
Countess: For ever. (Stands up.)
Prince: As you wish.
(Count and servant enter.)
Servant: But your Honor, you yourself gave Joseph leave.
Count: Yes, yes; it's all right.
(Servant leaves.)
Countess: What is it, Papa?
Count: nothing, nothing, my child. I wanted to go somewhere
in a hurry and that confounded Joseph....Don’t be angry, Mizzi, but
I should like a few words with Egon... (To him) What do you think
of that—Sne called me up before. Lolo, I mean. She couldn’t
get an answer and now Laura phones me – – that’s her chamber-saidane.
that she's on her way out here.
Prince: To you, here?
Count: Yes.
Prince: But why?
Count: Why? I can imagine why. You know, she has never been
in the villa--naturally--and I had always promised her that before
she married I should let her come out once to see the house and the
garden. It always vexed her that I couldn’t receive her here. Yes.
Well, yes, because of Mizzi. And she understood too. And to bring
her out secretly when Mizzi was away ——I never allowed myself such
liberties. And now she ends me a message that day after tomorrow is
her wedding day and that she is on her way out here.
Well, what's the difference? She's not coming as
Prince:
your tristress. before whom are you ashamed?
Count: Just today...and now when your son will be here at
any moment.
Prince:
I shall take the personality for him.
Count: But it’s not suitable for me, for me. I am going to
meet her and stop her. It makes me nervous. Please apologize for me
to your son. Good-tye, Mizzi, I’ll be back soon. (Leaves)
Prince: Miss Lolo has amnounced her intention to visit us,
and that doesn't suit your Papa!
Countess: What? Lolo visiting us? She coming here?
Prince: Your Papa, Mizzi, promised her that she might see
the villa once before her wedding. And now he a going out to meet