Do you?--Well, you look rather pale, Maria.

MIZZIE

Oh, you think so?

PROFESSOR

And how long will you be gone?

MIZZIE

Until the Fall probably--perhaps until very late in the Fall even.

PROFESSOR

Then we can resume our lessons next November at the earliest, I suppose?

MIZZIE (_smiling_)

I don't think we shall....

PROFESSOR

Oh, you don't think so? (_They look hard at each other_)

MIZZIE

No, I don't.

PROFESSOR

Which means, Maria--that I am discharged.

MIZZIE

How can you put it that way, Rudolph? That is not quite fair.

PROFESSOR

Pardon me. But it really came a little more suddenly than I had expected.

MIZZIE

Better that than have it come too slow. Don't you think so?

PROFESSOR

Well, girl, I have no intention whatever to make any reproaches.

MIZZIE

Well, you have no reason. And it wouldn't be nice either. (_She holds out her hand to him_)

PROFESSOR (_takes her hand and kisses it_)

Will you please excuse me to the Count?

MIZZIE

Are you going already...?

PROFESSOR (_unconcernedly_)

Isn't that better?

MIZZIE (_after a pause, during which she looks straight into his eyes_) Yes, I think so. (_They shake hands_)

PROFESSOR

Good luck, Maria.

MIZZIE

Same to you.... And remember me to your wife and the children.

PROFESSOR

I won't forget, Countess. (_He goes out_)

MIZZIE (_remains on the same spot for a little while, following him with her eyes_)

COUNT (_on the terrace_)

Everything is ready. We'll leave at nine-thirty to-morrow night.--But what has become of the professor?

MIZZIE

I sent him away.

COUNT

Oh, you did?--And can you guess who has the compartment between yours and mine?... Egon and his young gentleman. Won't they be surprised though?

MIZZIE

Yes ... won't they? (_She goes into the house_)