Now, my dear chap, that's carrying it a little too far! All the time I have thought you were talking of a duel--and now I find that you are after his life! AMADEUS Later on you may feel sorry that you could not refrain from inept jesting in a moment like this even. The case is urgent, Albert. Please make up your mind. ALBERT And suppose he should refuse? AMADEUS He is a nobleman. ALBERT He is religious. His father is one of the leaders of the Clerical Party in the Upper House and a vice-president of the Society for the Prevention of Dueling. AMADEUS Well, such things are not inherited. And if he won't, I shall know how to make him. There's no other way out of it. There can be no other alternative, if I am to go on living--with or without her. That will set everything right, but nothing else will. It's the one thing that can clear the air about us. Until it is over, we dare not belong to each other again or--be happy. ALBERT I hope Cecilia won't insist on killing off Philine and a few others. That would be just as sensible, but would complicate the situation a great deal. AMADEUS Won't you go, please! ALBERT Yes, I am going.... And how about our opera? AMADEUS Oh, we'll have plenty of time to talk of that. However, just to reassure you--all that is finished lies here in the second drawer, everything properly arranged. ALBERT And who is to compose the third act? AMADEUS It can be given as a fragment, with some kind of ballet as a filler. ALBERT Right you are! Something like "Harlequin as Electrician," or "Forget-me-not." (_He goes out_) AMADEUS (_remains alone for a while; at first he seems to ponder on something; then he returns to the writing desk and falls to work on his papers; a knock is heard at the door leading to the garden_) What is it? PETER (_outside_) It's me, papa. Can I come in? AMADEUS Certainly, Peter. Come on. GOVERNESS (_entering with Peter_) Good morning. AMADEUS Good morning. (_He kisses Peter_) Is it not a little too cold for him out there? GOVERNESS He's very warmly dressed, and besides the sun is shining beautifully. PETER Papa, have you seen what mamma brought me? AMADEUS What is it? PETER A theater--a big theater! AMADEUS Is that so? And you have got it already? PETER Of course. It's over there in the summer-house. Would you care to look at it? AMADEUS (_glances inquiringly at the governess_) GOVERNESS Madame brought it to our room quite early, while Peter was still asleep. AMADEUS I see. PETER I can play theater already. There is a king, and a peasant, and a bride, and a devil--one that's all red--almost as red as the king himself. And in the back there is a mill, and a sky, and a forest, and a hunter.... Won't you come and look at it, papa? AMADEUS (_seated on the couch, with the boy standing between his knees; speaking absentmindedly_) Of course I must come and look at it. CHAMBERMAID (_entering_) Sir.... AMADEUS What is it? CHAMBERMAID