PROFESSOR (_handsome; about thirty-five; his beard is blond and trimmed to a point; he is very carefully dressed, and wears a gray overcoat; he takes off his hat as he enters the garden and comes forward_) Good morning, Countess. How do you do, Count? COUNT Good morning, my dear Professor, and how are you? You have to pardon me. I was just about to go to the telephone--we are going away, you know. PROFESSOR Oh, are you going away? Please, don't let me detain you. COUNT I suppose I shall see you later, Professor. (_He goes into the house_) PROFESSOR So you are going away, Countess? MIZZIE Yes, to Ostend. PROFESSOR That's rather a sudden decision. MIZZIE Yes, rather. But that's my way. PROFESSOR That means an end to the lessons for the present, I suppose? Too bad. MIZZIE I don't think I shall be able to-day even ... I am feeling a little upset. PROFESSOR Do you?--Well, you look rather pale, Maria. MIZZIE Oh, you think so? PROFESSOR And how long will you be gone? MIZZIE Until the Fall probably--perhaps until very late in the Fall even. PROFESSOR Then we can resume our lessons next November at the earliest, I suppose? MIZZIE (_smiling_) I don't think we shall.... PROFESSOR Oh, you don't think so? (_They look hard at each other_) MIZZIE No, I don't. PROFESSOR Which means, Maria--that I am discharged. MIZZIE How can you put it that way, Rudolph? That is not quite fair. PROFESSOR Pardon me. But it really came a little more suddenly than I had expected. MIZZIE Better that than have it come too slow. Don't you think so? PROFESSOR Well, girl, I have no intention whatever to make any reproaches. MIZZIE Well, you have no reason. And it wouldn't be nice either. (_She holds out her hand to him_) PROFESSOR (_takes her hand and kisses it_) Will you please excuse me to the Count? MIZZIE Are you going already...? PROFESSOR (_unconcernedly_) Isn't that better? MIZZIE (_after a pause, during which she looks straight into his eyes_) Yes, I think so. (_They shake hands_) PROFESSOR Good luck, Maria. MIZZIE Same to you.... And remember me to your wife and the children. PROFESSOR I won't forget, Countess. (_He goes out_) MIZZIE (_remains on the same spot for a little while, following him with her eyes_) COUNT (_on the terrace_) Everything is ready. We'll leave at nine-thirty to-morrow night.--But what has become of the professor? MIZZIE I sent him away. COUNT Oh, you did?--And can you guess who has the compartment between yours and mine?... Egon and his young gentleman. Won't they be surprised though? MIZZIE Yes ... won't they? (_She goes into the house_)