FRAN. (takes hold of him).

Come, and we will make the bill of fare. Let us see what we shall have.

LAND.

You shall have first of all!!!!!

FRAN.

Stop, I say, stop! If my mistress knows now what she is to have for dinner, it will be all over with her appet.i.te. Come, we must talk that over in private.

(Drags him off.)

SCENE IX.

Minna, Major von Tellheim

MIN.

Well, are we still both mistaken?

MAJ. T.

Would to heaven it were so--But there is only one Minna, and you are that one.

MIN.

What ceremony! The world might hear what we have to say to one another.

MAJ. T.

You here? What do you want here, Madam?

MIN.

Nothing now (going to him with open arms).

I have found all that I wanted.

MAJ. T. (drawing back).

You seek a prosperous man, and one worthy of your love; and you find-- a wretched one.

MIN.

Then do you love me no longer? Do you love another?

MAJ. T.

Ah! he never loved you, who could love another afterwards.

MIN.

You draw but one dagger from my breast; for if I have lost your heart, what matters whether indifference or more powerful charms than mine have robbed me of it? You love me no longer; neither do you love another? Wretched man indeed, if you love nothing!

MAJ. T.

Right; the wretched must love nothing. He merits his misfortunes, if he cannot achieve this victory over himself--if he can allow the woman he loves to take part in his misfortune... Oh! how difficult is this victory!... Since reason and necessity have commanded me to forget Minna von Barnhelm, what pains have I taken! I was just beginning to hope that my trouble would not for ever be in vain--and you appear.

MIN.

Do I understand you right? Stop, sir; let us see what we mean before we make further mistakes. Will you answer me one question?

MAJ. T.

Any one.

MIN.

But will you answer me without shift or subterfuge? With nothing but a plain "Yes," or "No?"

MAJ. T.

I will--if I can.

MIN.

You can. Well, notwithstanding the pains which you have taken to forget me, do you love me still, Tellheim?

MAJ. T.

Madam, that question!!!!!

MIN.

You have promised to answer Yes, or No.

MAJ. T.

And added, If I can.

MIN.

You can. You must know what pa.s.ses in your heart. Do you love me still, Tellheim? Yes, or No?

MAJ. T.

If my heart!!!!!

MIN.

Yes, or No?

MAJ. T.

Well, Yes!

MIN.

Yes?

MAJ. T.

Yes, yes! Yet!!!!!

MIN.

Patience! You love me still; that is enough for me. Into what a mood have we fallen! an unpleasant, melancholy, infectious mood! I a.s.sume my own again. Now, my dear unfortunate, you love me still, and have your Minna still, and are unhappy? Hear what a conceited, foolish thing your Minna was--is. She allowed--allows herself, to imagine that she makes your whole happiness. Declare all your misery at once. She would like to try how far she can outweigh it.--Well?

MAJ. T.

Madam, I am not accustomed to complain.

MIN.

Very well. I know nothing in a soldier, after boasting, that pleases me less than complaining. But there is a certain cold, careless way of speaking of bravery and misfortune!!!!!

MAJ. T.

Which at the bottom is still boasting and complaining.