The Lonely Way-Intermezzo-Countess Mizzie - LightNovelsOnl.com
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That would be a little premature.
JOHANNA
Are you superst.i.tious?
SALA
Well, for that matter--yes.--But that was not what I had in mind. I only take possession temporarily, not for good.
JOHANNA
Why not?
SALA
I'm going abroad--for a prolonged stay.
JOHANNA
Oh? You are to be envied. I wish I could do the same--go here and there in the world, and not bother myself about a single human being.
SALA
Still at it?
JOHANNA
Still at it.... What do you mean?
SALA
Oh, I recall how the same kind of schemes for traveling used to occupy your mind when you were nothing but a little girl. What was it you wanted to become?--A ballet dancer, I think. Wasn't that it? A very famous one, of course.
JOHANNA
Why do you say that as if it were nothing at all to be a ballet dancer?
(_Without looking at him_) You, in particular, Mr. von Sala, should not be talking like that.
SALA
Why not I, in particular?
JOHANNA (_glances up calmly at him_)
SALA
I don't quite make out what you mean, Miss Johanna.... Unless I must.... (_Simply_) Johanna, did you know at the time that I was looking at you?
JOHANNA
When?
SALA
Last year, when you were in the country, and I came out once and stayed over night in your attic. It was bright moonlight, and I thought I could see a fairy gliding back and forth in the meadow.
JOHANNA (_nods with a smile_)
SALA
And it was for me?
JOHANNA
Oh, I saw you very well, where you stood behind the curtain.
SALA (_after a brief pause_)
I suppose you will never dance like that for other people?
JOHANNA
Why not?--I have already. And then, too, you were looking on. Of course, it was a good while ago.--It happened on one of the Greek islands. A large number of men stood in a circle around me ... you were one of them ... and I was a slave girl from Lydia.
SALA
A princess in captivity.
JOHANNA (_earnestly_)
Don't you believe in such things?
SALA
If you want me to--certainly.
JOHANNA (_still very serious_)
You should believe everything in which the rest cannot believe.
SALA
When the time comes for it, I suppose I shall.
JOHANNA
You see--I can rather believe anything than that I should now be in the world for the first time. And there are moments when I recall quite clearly all sorts of things.
