Kellinghausen. And when do you expect to need it? Beata. Who knows? _Enter_ Conrad. Conrad (_announcing_). Baron Brachtmann. Kellinghausen (_to_ Beata). Do you wish to see him? Beata. Yes. _Enter_ Brachtmann. Conrad _goes out_. Brachtmann. (_Bows to_ Kellinghausen _and kisses_ Beata's _hand_.) I am sorry we were not on our guard yesterday, Countess. Even if you had to know of this stupid business, you needn't have heard of it till it had blown over. Beata. Don't reproach yourself, Baron. I should have been sorry to miss such a chance of enlarging my knowledge of human nature. Brachtmann. Well, at all events, I beg of you both not to take it too seriously. And as for you, my dear Kellinghausen, I say again as I've said before: for God's sake, keep out of the courts. Kellinghausen. Ah----? Brachtmann. Why, my dear man, haven't I been accused of arson and forgery? Haven't I been charged with bribing my constituents to perjure themselves--not to speak of my dodging my taxes, and other sleight-of-hand performances? That's merely the political way of poking fun. Kellinghausen. H'm--your digestion must be stronger than mine. But those charges concerned no one but yourself; if I stood alone in this business, I might see the humour of it. But let them beware how they attack my family! Besides, I've taken steps already---- Brachtmann. What have you done? Kellinghausen. I got hold of my counsel this morning. He has made out a retraction which the scoundrel is to sign. If he won't sign it, we'll take other means. He is to be at my lawyer's at three o'clock. Beata (_starting up_). What? To-day? Kellinghausen. To-day. The sooner the better. By the way, what time is it? I must be on hand myself. Brachtmann, will you come with me? Brachtmann. I was going to propose it. (_While_ Kellinghausen _puts on his coat, he turns to_ Beata.) If you have any influence over him, for heaven's sake---- Beata (_in a low voice_). I can do nothing. Kellinghausen. Well, dear, good-bye. If Richard turns up, be sure you make him wait. I shall be back in an hour. (Kellinghausen _and_ Brachtmann _go out_.) Beata. (_Closing her eyes, with a miserable smile_.) In an hour! _Enter_ Ellen. Ellen (_in the doorway_). Mother! Beata. Come in, dear child.