Colonel, I am grieved at having missed you. When I returned from the Casino, where I am always to be found at noon,--where, I say, I am always to be found,--your card lay on the table; and as I imagine that there are matters of importance to be discussed between us, I made haste--as I say, I have made haste-- SCHWARTZE. Councillor, I do not know whether in this house there should be a chair for you, but since you have come here so quickly, you must be tired. I beg you to be seated. VON KELLER. Thanks. [_Sits down, near the open pistol-case, starts as he sees it, watches the_ Colonel _apprehensively_.] H'm! SCHWARTZE. Now, have you nothing to say to me? VON KELLER. Allow me first one question: Did your daughter, after our conversation, say anything to you about me? SCHWARTZE. Councillor, have you nothing to say to me? VON KELLER. Oh, certainly, I have a great deal to say to you. I would gladly, for instance, express to you a wish, a request; but I don't quite know whether-- Won't you tell me, at least, has your daughter spoken of me at all favorably? SCHWARTZE. [_Angrily_.] I must know, sir, how we stand, in what light I am to treat you. VON KELLER. Oh, pardon me, now I understand-- [_Working himself up_.] Colonel, you see in me a man who takes life earnestly. The days of a light youth-- [Schwartze _looks up angrily_.] Pardon me, I meant to say--since early this morning a holier and, if I may say so, a more auspicious resolution has arisen within me. Colonel, I am not a man of many words. I have already wandered from the point. As one man of honor to another, or-- in short, Colonel, I have the honor to ask you for the hand of your daughter. [Schwartze _sits motionless, breathing heavily_.] Pardon me, you do not answer--am I perhaps not worthy-- SCHWARTZE. [_Groping for his hand_.] No, no, no; not that,--not that. I am an old man. These last hours have been a little too much for me. Don't mind me. VON KELLER. H'm, h'm! SCHWARTZE. [_Rising, and closing the lid of the pistol-case_.] Give me your hand, my young friend. You have brought heavy sorrow upon me,--heavy sorrow. But you have promptly and bravely made it good. Give me the other hand. So, so! And now do you wish to speak to her also? You will have much to say. Eh? VON KELLER. If I might be allowed. SCHWARTZE. [_Opens the hall-door and speaks off, then opens the door, left_.] Magda! _Enter_ Magda. MAGDA. What is it, father? SCHWARTZE.