What? Is it possible? No, you don't mean.... And ... and you said no? MIZZIE Practically. COUNT You did...? Oh, well.... After all, I have never tried to persuade you. It must be as you.... But I can't understand why. I have noticed for a long time, that he.... As far as age is concerned, you wouldn't be badly matched. And as for the rest ... sixty millions are not to be despised exactly. But just as you say. MIZZIE (_remains silent_) COUNT Or could it possibly be on account of the boy? That would be to exaggerate the matter, I assure you. Things of that kind occur in the very best families. And particularly when you consider that his heart always remained with his wife.... All of a sudden you get dragged into an affair of that kind without exactly knowing how. MIZZIE And some poor girl of the people is thrown aside and allowed to go to the dogs. COUNT Oh, please, that's only in the books. And how could he help it? That kind of women seem always to die off early. And who knows what he might have done, if she hadn't died.... I really think that his action in regard to the boy has been pretty decent. That took courage, you know. I could tell you more than one case.... But don't let us talk of it. If that should be the only thing against him, however.... And besides, our being together at Ostend wouldn't commit you in any way. MIZZIE No, that's true. COUNT Well, then ... I tell you what. You make the trip with me. And if the place suits you, you can stay. If not, you can go on to London for a visit with Aunt Lora. I mean simply, that there is no sense in your letting me go away alone. MIZZIE All right. COUNT What do you mean? MIZZIE I'll go with you. But without any obligation--absolutely free. COUNT You'll come with me, you say? MIZZIE I will, papa. COUNT Oh, I'm so glad. Thank you, Mizzie. MIZZIE Why should you thank me? It's a pleasure to me. COUNT You can't imagine, of course ... without you, Mizzie.... There would be so much to remember--this time in particular.... You know, of course, that I took Lolo to Normandy last year? MIZZIE Of course, I know.... COUNT And as far as Egon is concerned ... not that I want to persuade you by any means ... but in a strange place like that you often get more acquainted with a person in a couple of days than during many years at home. MIZZIE It's settled now that I go with you, papa. And as for the rest, don't let us talk of it--for the time being. COUNT Then, you know, I'm going to telephone to the ticket office at once and reserve sleeping car compartments for the day after to-morrow--or for to-morrow. MIZZIE Are you in such a hurry? COUNT What's the use of sitting about here, once we have made up our minds? So I'll telephone.... Does that suit you? MIZZIE Yes. COUNT (_puts his arms about her_) PROFESSOR WINDHOFER (_appears at the garden gate_) COUNT Why, there's the professor. Have you a lesson to-day? MIZZIE I had forgotten it, too.