You can play with our card party though, can't you?

HEFFTERDINGT.

Unfortunately, no. I must, on the contrary, ask for a few serious words with you, my dear sir.

VON KLEBS.

Ah, but you'll put it off, won't you, Pastor?

FRANZISKA.

Oh, for Heaven's sake! It's so important. There must be no delay.

SCHWARTZE.

Is my sister-in-law in it too?

FRANZISKA.

Very much so.

VON KLEBS.

Oh, well, we can go away again.

MRS. SCHWARTZE.

Oh, we shouldn't like that at all.

SCHWARTZE.

If it were not you, dear pastor, who separated us!

MRS. SCHWARTZE.

But perhaps, Marie, the gentlemen would be willing to take a turn with you in the garden.

VON KLEBS.

Certainly! That's good! That's famous! That's what we'll do! Miss Marie, be so good as to lead the way.

BECKMANN.

Shall we leave the cards as they lie?

VON KLEBS.

Yes, you have the nine of spades. Come on.

[_Exit_ Von Klebs, Beckmann, _and_ Marie.

SCHWARTZE.

Well?

FRANZISKA.

Good Lord, don't you see how upset I am? You might at least give me a gla.s.s of water. [Mrs. Schwartze _brings it_.]

HEFFTERDINGT.

Will you promise me, my dear sir, that whatever may happen you will preserve your calmness? You may believe me, much depends upon it.

SCHWARTZE.

Yes, yes; but what--

HEFFTERDINGT.

Miss Franziska will tell you better.

FRANZISKA.

[_After drinking the water_.] This is a day indeed! Fate is avenging me. This man has for years outraged my holiest feelings, but today I can heap coals of fire on his head. [_Moved_.] Brother-in-law, give me your hand. Sister, yours.

HEFFTERDINGT.

Pardon me, dear Miss Franziska, I think your news is so important that--

FRANZISKA.

[_Melting_.] Don't be angry, don't be angry. I am so upset! Well, yesterday I was at the Governor's. Only the n.o.bility and the most important people were asked. You weren't asked?

SCHWARTZE.

[_Angrily_.] No.

FRANZISKA.

I did not mean to offend you. Oh, I am so upset! [_Suppressing a sob at a sign from the_ Pastor.] Yes, yes, yes. I had on my yellow silk dress with the Brussels lace--you know I've had the train shortened. Well, as I stepped into the room--whom do you think I saw?

SCHWARTZE.

Well, well, who?

FRANZISKA.

[_Sobbing_.] Your child! Magdalene!

[Schwartze _staggers, and is supported by the_ Pastor. Mrs. Schwartze _cries out. A pause._]