RIC. Oui, dat is it! Le Major de Tellheim; juste, ma belle enfant, c'est lui que je cherche. Ou est-il? FRAN. He does not lodge here any longer. RIC. Comment? Dere is four-and-twenty hour ago he did lodge here, and not lodge here any more? Where lodge he den? MIN. (going up to him). Sir!!!!! RIC. Ah! Madame, Mademoiselle, pardon, lady. MIN. Sir, your mistake is quite excusable, and your astonishment very natural. Major von Tellheim has had the kindness to give up his apartments to me, as a stranger, who was not able to get them elsewhere. RIC. Ah! voila de ses politesses! C'est un tres-galant homme que ce Major! MIN. Where has he gone now?--truly I am ashamed that I do not know. RIC. Madame not know? C'est dommage; j'en suis fache. MIN. I certainly ought to have inquired. Of course his friends will seek him here. RIC. I am vary great his friend, Madame. MIN. Franziska, do you not know? FRAN. No, my lady. RIC. It is vary necessaire dat I speak him. I come and bring him a nouvelle, of which he will be vary much at ease. MIN. I regret it so much the more. But I hope to see him perhaps shortly. If it is a matter of indifference from whom he hears this good news, I would offer, sir!!!!! RIC. I comprehend. Mademoiselle parle francais? Mais sans doute; telle que je la vois! La demande etait bien impolie; vous me pardonnerez, Mademoiselle. MIN. Sir!!!!! RIC. No! You not speak French, Madame? MIN. Sir, in France I would endeavour to do so; but why here? I perceive that you understand me, sir; and I, sir, shall doubtless understand you; speak as you please. RIC. Good, good! I can also explain me in your langue. Sachez donc, Mademoiselle, you must know, Madame, dat I come from de table of de ministre, ministre de, ministre de... What is le ministre out dere, in de long street, on de broad place? MIN. I am a perfect stranger here.