"I know that the intendant sued for your hand last summer. He would feel it an honor to be able to call you his wife. Make up your mind to accept him." A servant entered and announced the intendant. "What a strange coincidence! Make up your mind at once." The intendant entered. Bruno greeted him most cordially, and Irma's welcome was a friendly one. Bruno soon took his leave. The intendant handed Irma a manuscript play and requested her to read it and give him her opinion of it. She accepted it with thanks, and laid it on a table. "Ah, when spring returns, I shall not care to hear the theater mentioned. Our theater is a winter plant." "This piece is intended for next winter." "I can't tell you how I long for summer. When everything is barren and desolate at present, one can hardly realize that there ever were sunshine and green trees and sparkling seas. Do you remember the balmy day last summer, when we met on the lake?" "I do, indeed; very well." A long pause ensued. Irma waited for the intendant to speak, but he remained silent. Not a sound was heard but that made by the parrot hopping about in its cage and pecking at the golden wires. "I long," said Irma, "to visit my friend Emma next summer. I would like to revel in solitude. This winter has been too noisy and exciting." "Yes, and besides that, the queen's illness." The parrot tugged at the golden wires, and Irma slightly loosened the red velvet ribbon on her morning dress. "Do you intend to visit the lake again?" said Irma, trembling. "No, dear Countess; I shall visit the various theaters of Germany, in order to engage a second basso and, above all, a young person for the lover's parts. You would hardly believe how scarce youthful lovers have become in the German world." Irma laughed heartily, while the blood mounted to her temples. She felt quite faint. The servant announced Baroness Steigeneck. "I'm not at home," was Irma's hurried reply. "Pray remain a moment longer," said she, addressing the intendant. He remained for some time longer, and referred to the manuscript, mentioning that the passages to be omitted were marked with a red pencil. Irma promised to read the play, thanked him for the compliment paid her judgment, and conversed in a light and careless tone, until he had left the room. As soon as he had gone, she threw herself on a sofa, where she lay for a long while, weeping bitterly. At last, she looked up, as if bewildered, for she thought she had heard a voice saying: "You meant to--Is there no other course left? Must one who has swerved from the straight path, necessarily sink into the mire of self-abasement?" Suddenly, she arose, shook her head defiantly and brushed the hair from her face. She ordered her carriage, intending to drive to the sculptor's atelier and resume her work. The servant announced Colonel von Bronnen. "Let him enter," said Irma. A moment later, Irma was apologizing for receiving him in her hat. She was just about to drive out.