I suppose I had better tell you all about it. On my way home that last time--one night last week--I had a feeling all of a sudden--I don't know how to express it ... tremendously relieved, that's what I felt. Now you are a free man, I said to myself. Don't have to drive to Mayerhof Street[3] every night God grants you, merely to dine and chatter with Lolo, or just sit there listening to her. Had come to be pretty boresome at times, you know. And then the drive home in the middle of the night, and, on top of it, to be called to account when you happened to be dining with a friend in the Casino or taking your daughter to the opera or a theater. To cut it short--I was in high feather going home that night. My head was full of plans already.... No, nothing of the kind you have in mind! But plans for traveling, as I have long wanted to do--to Africa, or India, like a free man.... That is, I should have brought my little girl along, of course.... Yes, you may well laugh at my calling her a little girl still. [3] A street in the district of Wieden, near one of the principal shopping districts and leading to the great Theresian Riding Academy. PRINCE Nothing of the kind. Mizzie looks exactly like a young girl. Like quite a young one. Especially in that Florentine straw hat she was wearing a while ago. COUNT Like a young girl, you say! And yet she's exactly of an age with Lolo. You know, of course! Yes, we're growing old, Egon. Every one of us. Oh, yes.... And lonely. But really, I didn't notice it to begin with. It was only by degrees it got hold of me. The first days after that farewell feast were not so very bad. But the day before yesterday, and yesterday, as the time approached when I used to start for Mayerhof Street.... And when Peter brought in those roses a moment ago--for Lolo, of course--why, then it seemed pretty plain to me that I had become a widower for the second time in my life. Yes, my dear fellow. And this time forever. Now comes the loneliness. It has come already. PRINCE But that's nonsense--loneliness! COUNT Pardon me, but you can't understand. Your way of living has been so different from mine. You have not let yourself be dragged into anything new since your poor wife died ten years ago. Into nothing of a serious nature, I mean. And besides, you have a profession, in a sense. PRINCE Have I? COUNT Well, as a member of the Upper House. PRINCE Oh, I see. COUNT And twice you have almost been put into the cabinet. PRINCE Yes, almost.... COUNT Who knows? Perhaps you will break in some time. And I'm all done. Had myself retired three years ago in the bargain--like a fool. PRINCE (_with a smile_) That's why you are a free man now. Perfectly free. With the world open before you. COUNT