He
wrote the lady a very beautiful letter after the death of her
father--that is all I know about it. But the lady has greater
confidence than you, for she still hopes. (_Earnestly_.) Yes, she
hopes; and even her father permitted that before he died--you see, she
still hopes.
IDA (_embracing her_).
And who is the banished one for whom she still hopes?
ADELAIDE.
Hush, dearest, that is a dark secret. Few persons living know about
it; and when the birds on the trees of Rosenau tell each other the
story they treat it as a dim legend of their forefathers. They then
sing softly and sorrowfully, and their feathers stand on end with awe.
In due time you shall learn all about it; but now you must think of
the fete, and of how pretty you are going to look.
IDA.
On the one hand the father, on the other the lover--how will it end?
ADELAIDE.
Do not worry. The one is an old soldier, the other a young statesman;
two types that we women have wound around our little fingers from time
immemorial! [_Both leave_.]
SCENE II
_Side room of a public hall. The rear wall a great arch with columns,
through which one looks into the lighted hall and through it into another.
On the left, toward the front, a door. On the right, tables and chairs;
chandeliers. Later, from time to time distant music. In the hall ladies
and gentlemen walking about or standing in groups_. SENDEN, BLUMENBERG,
_behind them_ SCHMOCK _coming from the hall_.
SENDEN.
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