FOURTH SCENE.

AGNES. WILHELM. Afterward LIEUTENANT VON HALLERPFORT.

Wilhelm (softly).

Fräulein, just now as I went out, Lieutenant von Hallerpfort was standing there and wished to speak with Fräulein, privately. Neither the master nor the mistress is to know anything of it ... God, Fräulein is deadly pale!

Agnes.

Ask the lieutenant to come in, and keep a lookout, if my aunt comes.

(Wilhelm opens the door on the right, and disappears through the door on the left hand.)

Agnes.

(Meeting the lieutenant as he enters.) Herr von Hallerpfort, what has happened to Fritz?

Hallerpfort.

Nothing, Fräulein, not the least thing.... I am surprised that he is not yet here.

Agnes (rising joyfully).

Ah! (With a sigh of relief.) Ha!

Hallerpfort.

I beg pardon a thousand times if I startled you.

Agnes.

Will you please take a seat.

Hallerpfort.

Thank you, most humbly! (They are seated.) Your uncle and aunt, I hope, will not----

Agnes.

Uncle has just gone to the stables, and aunt's coming will be announced to us.

Hallerpfort.

How is your aunt?

Agnes.

Oh, I thank you, much as usual.--Herr von Hallerpfort, be frank with me: What is this all about?

Hallerpfort.

Oh, absolutely nothing of any consequence. A little surprise--nothing further--nothing further!

Agnes.

To be sure, if he is really on his way here--didn't you ride here together?

Hallerpfort.

No, I came by the way of the levee, and thought to overtake him. He will have ridden by the highway.

Agnes.

Then what is the object of this secrecy?

Hallerpfort.

That will soon be cleared up, Fräulein.... At this moment, in Fritz's interest, I have to ask a great favour of you.... It is now (takes out his watch) three forty-five o'clock. At four o'clock let us say five minutes after four--even if we take into account some unforeseen delay--yes--he must be here.... How long does it take to go to the village to Braun's inn?

Agnes.

Ten minutes--that is, by a short cut through the park, about five.

Hallerpfort.

Thank you most humbly. Then will you have the great kindness to reckon by your watch a half hour from the moment when he comes in here, and then send me a message to Braun's where I am stopping?

Agnes.

At Braun's? I think you know, Herr von Hallerpfort, that this house----

Hallerpfort.

Oh, certainly that I know!... I only made the mistake of putting my horse at the entrance to Braun's, and as he doesn't belong to me, it is my duty to look after him.

Agnes.

And all that is the truth?

Hallerpfort.

Absolutely.

Agnes.

I should not be so persistent--forgive me for it--but here we have all been so distressed about him. For nearly a week, we have sat and waited for news.... Tell me truly.

Wilhelm (entering at the left).

Fräulein, your aunt.

Hallerpfort (springing up).

Good-bye, then! And be reassured, it is all about a joke--about----

Agnes.

If only your face were not so serious.

Hallerpfort.

Oh, that--that is deceptive. (Exit quickly to the right.