The Lonely Way-Intermezzo-Countess Mizzie - LightNovelsOnl.com
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Young Wegrat?--I thought he had already left again.--The poor chap! He seemed utterly stunned.
JULIAN
I can imagine.
IRENE
You visited him at Salzburg?
JULIAN
Yes, I happened to be there a couple of days last August.
FELIX (_enters, dressed as a civilian_)
Good evening.--Good evening, Miss Herms.
IRENE
Good evening, Lieutenant.
JULIAN
My dear Felix--I was going to call on you--this very evening. It's extremely nice of you to take the trouble.
FELIX
I have to be off again the day after to-morrow, and so I wasn't sure whether I could find any chance at all to see you.
JULIAN
Won't you take off your coat?--Think of it, I didn't have the slightest idea.... It was Sala who told me--less than an hour ago.
[_Irene is looking from one to the other._
FELIX
We didn't dream of this when we took that walk in the Mirabell Gardens[4] last summer.
[4] The palace of Mirabell is one of the sights of Salzburg, the city near the Bavarian border, where Felix's regiment was stationed. It is now used as a museum. The gardens adjoining it are of the formal type so dear to, and so characteristic of, the eighteenth century.
JULIAN
Was it very sudden?
FELIX
Yes. And I, who couldn't be with her.... Late that evening I had to leave, and she died during the night.
IRENE
Say rather that she didn't wake up again next morning.
FELIX
We owe a lot of thanks to you, Miss Herms.
IRENE
Oh, please...!
FELIX
It always gave my mother so much pleasure to have you with her, chatting, or playing the piano to her.
IRENE
Oh, don't mention my playing...!
[_A clock strikes._
IRENE
Is it that late? Then I have to go.
JULIAN
What's the hurry, Miss Herms?
IRENE
I'm going to the opera. I have to make good use of the few days I shall still be here.
FELIX
Shall we see you at our house again, Miss Herms?
IRENE
Certainly.--You'll have to leave before me, won't you?
FELIX
Yes, my furlough will be up....
IRENE (_as if en pa.s.sant_)
How long have you been an officer anyhow, Felix?
