[5] "Neben der Wiesinger-Florian." The name is slightly misspelt in the German text. It is that of Mrs. Olga Wisinger-Florian, a well-known Viennese painter of floral pieces, whose work is represented in many of the big galleries in Europe. She was born in 1844, made her name in the early eighties, and is still living. MIZZIE That's so, perhaps. But I have no ambition of that kind. PRINCE I'm rather against exhibiting, too. It puts you at the mercy of any newspaper scribbler. MIZZIE Well, how about the members of the Upper House--at least when they make speeches? COUNT And how about all of us? Is there anything into which they don't poke their noses? PRINCE Yes, thanks to prevailing tendencies, there are people who would blackguard your pictures merely because you happen to be a countess, Mizzie. COUNT Yes, you're right indeed. VALET (_entering_) Your Grace is wanted on the telephone. COUNT Who is it? What is it about? VALET There is somebody who wishes to speak to Your Grace personally. COUNT You'll have to excuse me a moment. (_To the Prince, in a lowered voice_) Tell her now--while I am away. I prefer it. (_He goes out followed by the valet_) MIZZIE Somebody on the telephone--do you think papa can have fallen into new bondage already? (_She seats herself_) PRINCE Into _new_ bondage, you say? MIZZIE Lolo used always to telephone about this time. But it's all over with her now. You know it, don't you? PRINCE I just heard it. MIZZIE And what do you think of it, Prince Egon. I am rather sorry, to tell the truth. If he tries anything new now, I'm sure he'll burn his fingers. And I do fear there is something in the air. You see, he's still too young for his years. PRINCE Yes, that's so. MIZZIE (_turning so that she faces the Prince_) And by the way, you haven't been here for ever so long. PRINCE You haven't missed me very much ... I fear.... Your art ... and heaven knows what else.... MIZZIE (_without affectation_) Nevertheless.... PRINCE Awfully kind of you.... (_Pause_) MIZZIE What makes you speechless to-day? Tell me something. Isn't there anything new in the world at all? PRINCE (_as if he had thought of it only that moment_) Our son has just passed his examinations for the university. MIZZIE (_slightly perturbed_) I hope you have more interesting news to relate. PRINCE More interesting.... MIZZIE Or news, at least, that concerns me more closely than the career of a strange young man. PRINCE I have felt obliged, however, to keep you informed about the more important stages in the career of this young man. When he was about to be confirmed, I took the liberty to report the fact to you. But, of course, we don't have to talk any more about it. MIZZIE He pulled through, I hope? PRINCE With honors. MIZZIE The stock seems to be improving. PRINCE Let us hope so. MIZZIE And now the great moment is approaching, I suppose. PRINCE What moment? MIZZIE