She _is_ developing, isn't she?

Baron Ludwig.

And my nephew Norbert--you have developed him too. A very comprehensive piece of work. (Beata _laughs_.)

Baron Ludwig.

If only he doesn't stray from the path you've marked out for him.

Beata.

Ah--you are thinking of that pamphlet of his?

Baron Ludwig (_nods_).

An attack on duelling, I understand? Well, it's no business of mine.

Beata.

He is not as immature as you think.

Baron Ludwig.

Indeed?

_Enter_ Conrad.

Conrad (_announcing_).

Baron von Brachtmann, his Highness Prince Usingen.

Baron Ludwig.

The pillars of the state! Brachtmann especially. This is something for me to remember, Countess.

_Enter_ Brachtmann _and_ Prince. Conrad _goes out_.

Brachtmann.

My dear Countess----

Beata.

I am so glad to see you. And you, Prince. Always faithful to the cause?

Prince.

Yes, Countess; as far as fidelity is consonant with perfect inactivity.

Glad to shake hands between two rounds, your Excellency.

Baron Ludwig.

Our encounters are not sanguinary, your Highness.

Prince.

No although one adversary occasionally cuts another. (_Laughter_.)

Brachtmann.

We ventured to call, Countess, because we fancied that Volkerlingk would keep you posted as to the news from Lengenfeld.

Beata.

Baron Volkerlingk has done me no such honour. But--by the merest accident--his secretary was here just now. Here are the latest returns.

(_Hands him the paper_.)

Brachtmann (_bending over the paper_).

H'm, h'm----

Prince.

Let me see.

Brachtmann.

Well, we'll hope for the best. Kellinghausen's personal popularity has secured a conservative majority till now; but now that he has withdrawn in favour of another man--even though that man is Volkerlingk--the result is more than doubtful.

Baron Ludwig.

I confess, Countess, that even if Kellinghausen looked upon his politics merely as a branch of sport, I don't quite understand his sacrificing his career to my brother.

Beata.

My husband is very easy-going. He has no ambition. They had bothered him dreadfully at their committee-meetings about things he didn't understand--at least he said he didn't. The truth is, it probably bored him.

Brachtmann.

But how about his fanatical devotion to the party? If we are all monomaniacs on that subject, he is certainly the worst. He felt more keenly than any of us what the party lost in losing your brother (_to_ Baron Ludwig)--he realised our need of Volkerlingk's efficiency and energy. He saw what a great power was lying idle. Doesn't that explain his action?

Baron Ludwig.

I needn't tell you, Herr von Brachtmann, how pleasant it is to hear my brother praised. I quite realise how much you need him at this particular moment with the debate on the civil code pending, and the serious questions likely to come up in connection with it. (_To_ Beata.) But that Kellinghausen should have consented to withdraw, even in such an emergency-- I have so often heard him say, Countess, that it was the duty of a landed proprietor to represent the district in which his property lay. He said it was the only justification of a representative government.

Beata.

But you know you, all say that!