COUNT Oh, you are bound for Ostend. I have long wanted to go there. PRINCE But that would be fine.... COUNT What do you think, Mizzie? Let's be fashionable. Let's go to Ostend, too. MIZZIE I can't answer yet. But there's no reason why you shouldn't go, papa. PHILIP That would be delightful, Countess. It would please me awfully. MIZZIE (_smiling_) That's very kind of you, Philip. (_She holds out her hand to him_) PHILIP (_kisses her hand_) COUNT (_to the Prince_) The children seem to get along beautifully. PRINCE Yes, that's what I have been thinking. Good-by then. Good-by, my dear Mizzie. And good-by to you, my dear old fellow. I hope at least to see _you_ again at Ostend. COUNT Oh, she'll come along. Won't you, Mizzie? After all, you can get studios by the sea shore, too. Or how about it, Mizzie? MIZZIE (_remains silent_) PRINCE Well, until we meet again! (_He shakes hands with the Count and Mizzie_) PHILIP (_kisses the hand of Mizzie once more_) COUNT (_giving his hand to Philip_) It has been a great pleasure. [_The Prince and Philip go out through the gate and step into the carriage which has been driving up in the meantime, and which now carries them off. The Count and Mizzie come forward again and seat themselves at the table under the tree. Pause._ COUNT Hasn't this been a queer day? MIZZIE All life is queer--only we forget it most of the time. COUNT I suppose you're right. (_Pause_) MIZZIE You know, papa, you might just as well have brought us together a little earlier. COUNT Who? Oh, you and.... MIZZIE Me and Miss Lolo. She's a dear. COUNT So you like her? Well, if it were only possible to know in advance.... But what's the use? Now it's all over. MIZZIE (_takes hold of his hand_) COUNT (_rises and kisses her on the forehead; strolls about aimlessly for a few seconds_) Tell me, Mizzie, what you think.... How do you like the boy? MIZZIE Philip? Oh, rather fresh. COUNT Fresh, perhaps, but smart. I hope he'll stay in the army. That's a much more sensible career than the diplomatic service. Slow, but sure. All you need is to live long enough in order to become a general. But a political career.... Now look at Egon ... three times he has almost become a minister.... And suppose he had succeeded? (_Walking back and forth_) Yes, yes ... we shall be rather lonely this Summer. MIZZIE But why shouldn't you go to Ostend, papa? COUNT Yes, why not...? Really, won't you come along? It would be rather ... without you, you know.... It's no use looking at me like that. I know! I haven't paid as much attention to you in the past as I should have.... MIZZIE (_taking his hand again_) Oh, papa, you're not going to apologize, are you? I understand perfectly. COUNT Oh, well. But, you see, I shall not get much joy out of that trip without you. And what would you be doing here, all by yourself? You can't paint all day long. MIZZIE The only trouble is ... the Prince has asked me to marry him. COUNT