Kellinghausen.

There you are again! Just when the man needs a clear head for the great work that's before him, he finds himself involved in this filthy-- Ah, well, I'll have the dogs by the throat yet! I'll have them howling for mercy!

Beata.

Do calm yourself, Michael. Look--your face is all on fire. You know it's bad for you to excite yourself.

Kellinghausen.

There, there--I'm quiet again. Don't I always do what you tell me? Ah, if I hadn't had _you_ all these years, the Lord knows what would have become of me!

Beata.

Then, on the whole, I've been--satisfactory?

Kellinghausen (_laughing_).

That sounds as if you were asking for a reference.

Beata.

Perhaps I am. I want to have one to show in case of need.

Kellinghausen.

And when do you expect to need it?

Beata.

Who knows?

_Enter_ Conrad.

Conrad (_announcing_).

Baron Brachtmann.

Kellinghausen (_to_ Beata).

Do you wish to see him?

Beata.

Yes.

_Enter_ Brachtmann. Conrad _goes out_.

Brachtmann.

(_Bows to_ Kellinghausen _and kisses_ Beata's _hand_.) I am sorry we were not on our guard yesterday, Countess. Even if you had to know of this stupid business, you needn't have heard of it till it had blown over.

Beata.

Don't reproach yourself, Baron. I should have been sorry to miss such a chance of enlarging my knowledge of human nature.

Brachtmann.

Well, at all events, I beg of you both not to take it too seriously.

And as for you, my dear Kellinghausen, I say again as I've said before: for G.o.d's sake, keep out of the courts.

Kellinghausen.

Ah----?

Brachtmann.

Why, my dear man, haven't I been accused of arson and forgery? Haven't I been charged with bribing my const.i.tuents to perjure themselves--not to speak of my dodging my taxes, and other sleight-of-hand performances? That's merely the political way of poking fun.

Kellinghausen.

H'm--your digestion must be stronger than mine. But those charges concerned no one but yourself; if I stood alone in this business, I might see the humour of it. But let them beware how they attack my family! Besides, I've taken steps already----

Brachtmann.

What have you done?

Kellinghausen.

I got hold of my counsel this morning. He has made out a retraction which the scoundrel is to sign. If he won't sign it, we'll take other means. He is to be at my lawyer's at three o'clock.

Beata (_starting up_).

What? To-day?

Kellinghausen.

To-day. The sooner the better. By the way, what time is it? I must be on hand myself. Brachtmann, will you come with me?

Brachtmann.

I was going to propose it. (_While_ Kellinghausen _puts on his coat, he turns to_ Beata.) If you have any influence over him, for heaven's sake----

Beata (_in a low voice_).

I can do nothing.

Kellinghausen.