The Lonely Way-Intermezzo-Countess Mizzie - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
There is a blue-greenish glitter on the water, and besides, the shadow of the beech tree falls right across it early in the morning. And by a strange coincidence Johanna said yesterday: "The water can no more hold my image...." That was, in a way, like challenging fate.... And as I pa.s.sed by the pool, it was as if ... the water had retained her image just the same.
JULIAN
Is that true?
SALA
True ... or untrue ... what is that to me? It could be of interest to me only if I were to remain in this world another year--or another hour at least.
JULIAN
You mean to...?
SALA
Of course, I do. Would you expect me to wait for it? That would be rather painful, I think. (_To Julian, with a smile_) From whom are you now going to get your cues, my dear friend? Yes, it's all over now....
And what has become of it?... Where are the _thermae_ of Caracalla?
Where is the park at Lugano?... Where is my nice little house?... No nearer to me, and no farther away, than those marble steps leading down to mysterious depths.... Veils in front of everything.... Perhaps your son will discover if the three-hundred and twelfth be the last one--and if not, it won't give him much concern anyhow.... Don't you think he has been acting rather nicely?... I have somehow the impression that a better generation is growing up--with more poise and less brilliancy.--Send your regards to heaven, Julian.
JULIAN (_makes a movement to accompany him_)
SALA (_gently but firmly_)
You stay here, Julian. This is the end of our dialogue. Farewell.
(_He goes out quickly_)
FELIX (_entering rapidly_)
Is Mr. von Sala gone? My father wanted to talk to him.--And you are still here?... Why did Mr. von Sala go? What did he tell you?--Johanna...! Johanna...?
JULIAN
She is dead ... she has drowned herself in the pool.
FELIX (_with a cry of dismay_)
Where did he go?
JULIAN
I don't think you can find him.
FELIX
What is he doing?
JULIAN
He is paying ... while it's time....
WEGRAT (_enters from the veranda_)
FELIX (_runs to meet him_)
Father....
WEGRAT
Felix! What has happened?
FELIX
We must go to Sala's house, father.
WEGRAT
Dead...?
FELIX
Father! (_He takes hold of Wegrat's hand and kisses it_) My father!
JULIAN (_has left the room slowly in the meantime_)
WEGRAT
Must things of this kind happen to make that word sound as if I had heard it for the first time...?
CURTAIN
INTERMEZZO
(_Zwischenspiel_)
A COMEDY IN THREE ACTS
1904
PERSONS
AMADEUS ADAMS } A musical conductor
