Scene XVII
Mrs. Rettig and Lenka; Mrs. Roller, Dr. Gulich, Mrs. Roubínek.
Gülich (Opening the door).—Aber meine Damen,[1] we are waiting in vain.
Mrs. Roubínek (Behind him, on the right)—Just a moment longer.
Mrs..Roller (Looks out from behind him on the left: suddenly).—The Rettig woman! Zurück![2] (Disappears.)
Mrs. Roubínek.—Is she coming this way? (Disappears; Gulich also disappears.)
Mrs. Rettig comes in at the rear on the left and advances slowly to the foreground; with her is Lenka, flushed, and fanning herself with a handkerchief.
Mrs. Rettig.—You can rest here; no one will come here. You have danced a great deal.
Lenka.—I never danced so much before, and still it does not make me happy.
Mrs. Rettig.—I believe you; but it is for the last time in your life of freedom. Come, the doctor is waiting for you. He was complaining that he had had hardly a word with you.
Lenka (Suddenly).—You will remain here, madam?
Mrs, Rettig.—My child! If I remain now, I shall not remain a second time. (Seriously.) You are avoiding him now, and will have to be with him all your life—alone.
Lenka looks down and sighs.
Mrs. Rettig (In surprise, when they come under the oak and see the empty bench).—Ah, he has gone! He could not wait, but went to look for you. (With a smile.) Shall we go back?
Lenka.—No, I beg of you; I should prefer to stay here. It is so quiet here. (Seats herself on the bench under the oak.)
Mrs. Rettig.—And boisterous merriment wearies you. Stay here, be seated; it is lovely here, so peaceful. That Temple of Silence stands in a fitting spot. There is silence here even when the whole grove is echoing with mirth and music. And that sunset! The heart drinks in this loveliness and beauty, and it would not be surprising if a tear of gentle emotion bedewed one's face.
Lenka gazes before her with bowed head, in meditation.
