ACT II. Scene:--_The drawing-room in the_ Muhlingk's _house_ (_The "Vorderhaus"_). _The furnishings are rich but rather stiff. At the back, a wide door hung with portieres opens into the dining-room. On the left, beside a fire-place is a sofa and an oval table. Beside it a rocking-chair. In the dining-room the richly set table can be seen. Dinner is over and a servant is clearing away the things_. Herr Muhlingk, Frau Muhlingk, Kurt _and_ Leonore _are drinking coffee in the drawing-room. The servant who has passed the cups goes out_. Kurt. As I remarked before, the black horse is fine! Kurt. Expensive it certainly is! Frau Muhlingk. I shall make up the rest of the money, just to stop the argument. Kurt. (_Kisses her hand_) My best thanks, Mama;--Now I can show myself to Berlin mounted and spurred!--You can admire me, too, Lori! Leonore. (_Without looking up from her book_) Yes, my dear. Kurt. Lothar Brandt and Hugo Stengel wanted to come out to see the beast. Perhaps that doesn't interest you either, Lori? Leonore. They will probably come often. They haven't anything else to do. (_Looking at the clock--aside_) Oh, how the time drags! (_The servant goes out_) Frau Muhlingk. You must not speak so harshly about these gentlemen, my child. You know Lothar wants to pay court to you. Leonore. Really? Frau Muhlingk. Haven't you noticed it? Leonore. I haven't paid any particular attention. Frau Muhlingk. (_To her husband_) It's unbearable, Theodore! Muhlingk. We've had enough of this tone, my child. Even the pride in your paternal bank account has its limits. Leonore. (_Looking at him_) Pride in the paternal bank account? Muhlingk. Well, how can we explain this manner you have assumed for the last ten years, sending home every rich and respected man who has proposed to you?--I am a simple, middle-class man. I made my own way with my own help---- Kurt. That is to say, he married a rich wife. Muhlingk. What's that, Kurt? Kurt. An exclamation of admiration, Father; nothing else. Muhlingk. No, I didn't have it as easy as you, my boy. You might well follow my example. I don't like to play the spender and I don't care to see it in my children, either. That is the only way one can live tastefully! Kurt. --and cheap, too! Leonore. Your accusation doesn't apply to me, papa. Frau Muhlingk. Will you condescend to give us an explanation then? Leonore. Mama! Frau Muhlingk. (_Nervously_) Well? Leonore. (_Rising_) Oh, why can't you let me work out my own salvation? I am modest enough--I only ask to be allowed to live my own life. Muhlingk. You call that modest? If that is modest, what is to become of the sanctity of family ties? Frau Muhlingk. (_To her husband_) Do you hear that? I haven't slept for nights and nights! Leonore. Because of me, mama? Frau Muhlingk. Every day these mad ideas, these unconventional acts! Now what does it mean this time, when you plunder the hothouse to send flowers to a clerk!