ACT II

_The same scenery as in the first act. The drawing-room is brightly lit, the curtain in the opening at back of stage drawn back, showing two other apartments, also brilliantly lit. In the nearest one a group of gentlemen are at the billiard-table. In the third room the rest of the guests have just left the table. For some minutes_ Beata _is seen among them_. Brachtmann, Prince Usingen _and_ von Berkelwitz-Grunhof _are just coming out of the billiard-room, talking together._

Brachtmann.

(_Coming forward with_ Usingen.) Prince, I want a word with you later--an important matter.

Prince.

And I want a word with you.

Brachtmann.

On the same subject, probably.

Prince.

Perhaps.

von Berkelwitz (_looking about him_).

Deuced fine--magnificent! You've got to come up to town to see this kind of thing.

Brachtmann.

How is it we never see you in the Reichstag nowadays, my dear fellow?

von Berkelwitz.

What's a man to do? I'm a country squire--I've got to work--and besides I'm too poor to live in town. A man has got to make a show here--keep up appearances--I--hang it, that champagne's gone to my head--what was I going to say? Oh, yes: well, you see, I've got four boys growing up; one is in the Rathenow Hussars--crack regiment, you know--I always look out for that sort of thing--but costs like the devil! The second is with the Pacific squadron on board the Princess William. _He_ doesn't cost as much except when he's ash.o.r.e. The third is to study forestry, and just now he's with his rifle-corps. The fourth is at college--Bonn--belongs to all the most expensive clubs--but smart, deuced smart! That's the chief thing. I expect all four to make their living out of the state, but meanwhile they're a confounded expense to me. You've no idea what it costs to keep Oscar alone in white gloves!

Prince (_to_ Brachtmann).

And these are the sources of German statesmanship!

von Berkelwitz.

What did you say, Prince?

Prince.

Nothing, nothing.

von Berkelwitz.

Not that we can't give you as good a dinner as you'll get here. But as to keeping up a countryseat and a town house and a shooting-box and a racing-stable--why, it's out of the question. I've had to mortgage my place--and the men's wages--coming round every Sat.u.r.day! well--well--I tell my boys--rich marriages--_that's_ the cure. And they _ought_ to, by gad! Good-looking fellows, you understand. What the deuce are we Prussian n.o.blemen for, if the state doesn't provide for us? Just answer me that!

Prince (_who has been studying the pictures_).

You ought to ask the Socialists that, Herr von Berkelwitz--ask it in the Reichstag, you know. It would be rather effective. (_Turns back to the pictures_.) A capital Sustermans.

Brachtmann (_smiling_).

After all, we're all looking out for ourselves.

von Berkelwitz.

And how have we succeeded? What have we landed proprietors accomplished? Oh, we can all talk loud enough; but when it comes to action, there we stand with our hands in our pockets.

Prince.

(_Who is turning over photograph-alb.u.ms on the table_.) Other people's pockets.

Brachtmann (_laughing_).

Prince--Prince!

von Berkelwitz.

(_In a low tone, to_ Brachtmann.) I say, is that fellow making fun of us?

Brachtmann.

He's ten times more of a Conservative than either of us.

von Berkelwitz.

He talks like a Radical.

Prince (_in a startled tone_).

Oh, the devil!

Brachtmann.

What's the matter?

Prince.

Isn't this the Countess's writing-table?

Brachtmann.

Yes.

Prince.