SALA Unfortunately. For princesses were not at all in her line. She has never in her life been able to treat verse properly. REUMANN And you can still bear that in mind, Mr. von Sala--that some lady on some occasion happened to handle your verse badly? SALA Well, why shouldn't I, my dear Doctor? If you were living at the center of the earth, you would know that all things are of equal weight. And were you floating in the center of the universe, you would suspect that all things are of equal importance. MRS. WEGRAT How does she look anyhow? WEGRAT She is still very pretty. SALA Has she preserved her resemblance to that portrait of hers which is hanging in the Museum? FELIX What portrait is that? JOHANNA Is her portrait really in the Museum? SALA Oh, you know it. In the catalogue it is labeled "Actress"--just "Actress." A young woman in the costume of a harlequin, over which she has draped a Greek toga, while at her feet lie a confused heap of masks. With her staring glance turned toward the spectators, she stands there all alone on an empty, dusky stage, surrounded by odd pieces of misfit scenery--one wall of a room, a forest piece, part of an old dungeon.... FELIX And the background shows a southern landscape with palms and plane trees...? SALA Yes, and it is partly raised so that still farther off you can see a pile of furniture, steps, goblets, chandeliers--all glittering in full daylight. FELIX But that's Julian Fichtner's picture? SALA Exactly. FELIX I had not the slightest idea that the figure of that woman was meant for Irene Herms. WEGRAT Twenty-five years have passed since he painted that picture. It caused a tremendous sensation at the time. It was his first big success. And to-day I suppose there are lots of people who no longer remember his name.--Come to think of it, I asked Irene Herms about him. But strange to say, not even his "perennial best girl" could tell where in this world he happens to be straying. FELIX I talked with him only a few days ago. WEGRAT What? You have seen Julian Fichtner? He was in Salzburg?--When? FELIX Only about three or four days ago. He looked me up, and we spent the evening together. [_Mrs. Wegrat throws a quick glance at Dr. Reumann._ WEGRAT How is he doing? What did he tell you? FELIX He has turned rather gray, but otherwise he didn't seem to have changed at all. WEGRAT How long can it be now since he left Vienna? Two years, isn't it? MRS. WEGRAT A little more. FELIX He has traveled far and wide. SALA Yes, now and then I have had a postcard from him. WEGRAT So have we. But I thought you and he were corresponding regularly. SALA Regularly? Oh, no. JOHANNA Isn't he a friend of yours? SALA As a rule I have no friends. And if I have any, I repudiate them. JOHANNA But you used to be quite intimate with him. SALA He with me rather than I with him. FELIX What do you mean by that, Mr. von Sala? JOHANNA