BERTHA: Yes, my lady, the Count. He has---- RITA: Well, yes; I mean anyone else? BERTHA: No. No one. RITA: Hm! Let me have my dressing gown. (_Bertha goes to the sleeping chamber to the left._) RITA (_steps in front of the mirror, singing softly_): "Les envoyees du paradis...." (_Suddenly raising her voice, she asks Bertha_) How long did he wait? BERTHA: What? RITA: I would like to know how long he waited. BERTHA: An hour. RITA (_to herself_): He does not love me any more. (_Loudly_) But during that time he might have at least repaired the bell. He is of no use whatever. (_She laughs._) BERTHA: The Count came directly from the matinee and asked me where your ladyship had gone to dine. Naturally I did not know. RITA: Did he ask--anything else? BERTHA: No, he looked at the photographs. RITA (_in the door_): Well? And does he expect to come again to-day? BERTHA: Yes, certainly. At four o'clock. RITA (_looks at the clock_): Oh, but that's boring. Now it is already half-past three. One cannot even drink coffee in peace. Hurry, Bertha, prepare the coffee. (_Bertha leaves the room, carrying the articles of attire._) (_Rita, after a pause, singing a melancholy melody._) (_Friedrich Stierwald, a man very carefully dressed in black, about thirty years of age, with a black crepe around his stiff hat, enters from the rear into the antechamber, followed by Bertha._) BERTHA: But the lady is not well. FRIEDRICH: Please tell the lady that I am passing through here, and that I must speak with her about a very pressing matter. It is absolutely necessary. Please! (_He gives her money and his card._) BERTHA: Yes, I shall take your card, but I fear she will not receive you. FRIEDRICH: Why not? O, yes! Just go---- BERTHA: This morning she sang at a charity matinee and so---- FRIEDRICH: I know, I know. Listen! (_Rita's singing has grown louder_) Don't you hear how she sings? Oh, do go! BERTHA (_shaking her head_): Well, then--wait a moment. (_She passes through the room to the half-opened door of the sleeping apartment, knocks_) Dear lady! RITA (_from within_): Well? What's the matter? BERTHA (_at the door_): Oh, this gentleman here--he wishes to see you very much. He is passing through here. RITA (_within; laughs_): Come in. (_Bertha disappears._) (_Friedrich has walked up to the middle door, where he remains standing._) RITA: Well. Who is it? Friedrich---- Hmm---- I shall come immediately. BERTHA (_comes out and looks at Friedrich in surprise_): My lady wishes you to await her. (_She walks away, after having taken another glance at Friedrich._) (_Friedrich looks about embarrassed and shyly._) (_Rita enters attired in a tasteful dressing gown, but remains standing in the door._) FRIEDRICH (_bows; softly_): Good day. (_Rita looks at him with an ironical smile and remains silent._) FRIEDRICH: You remember me? Don't you?