16.
Well, to cheer you up,
Countess: Disillusionments...
can assure you, my dear Prince, that some of them were
extremely pleasant.
Prince: That I know as well. How else could I assert,
that I really know your life's history.
Countess: And do you think I don’t know yours? Do you want
Starting with
me to enumerate the list of your mistresses?
the wife of the Belgarian Attache, in 1887, up to Miss Therese
Gredun, if that's her real name- who up to this Spring, at
least, held her place and dignity with you. Probably I know
even more than you. I know of nearly all the men who charged
the ladies favors with you.
Prince: I'd rather you wouldn’t tell me. One must find such
things out for onesself, to get the real fun out of them (Car-
It's he. Perhaps you want to
riege is heard d¬
disappear before he enters the Park- I’ll detain him.
Countess: Don’t trouble yourself, it pleases me to stay.
But if you think, I've got the elightest feeling.... A young
man, coming to call on my father- There he is- Call of the
blood- it must be a fable. I feel not a thing, my dear
Prince.
Phillip: (Enters quickly through the middle door- he is
seventeen years old, slender, good looking, smart, but not
like a dandy- of a faireming rather boyish impudence- a little
Good-morning. (Bows to the Countess)
embarrassed.)
Prince: Good-morning, Phillip. May I introduce my son to you?
This is Countess Mizzi, the daughter of my old friend.
Phillip: (Takes and hisses the Countess' hand)
(Silence)
Countess: Don't you want to sit down?
Phillip: Thank you, Countess. (Remains standing)
Prince: You've come with the carriage? You might send it away
mine is here.
Because
Phillip: Wouldn’t you rather return with me, Papa?
I think Wasner drives better, than your Franz with those old
hòrses of yours,
Countess: Wasner drives you?
Phillip: Yes.
Countess: He, himself? Do you know that’s a great honour?
He doesn't drive everybody. up to two years ago he went with
my father.