No, I don't want it until this new thing has become fully revealed to me. (_He looks Julian firmly in the eyes_) I don't quite know where I am. In reality, of course, there has been no change whatever. None--except that I know now what I ... JULIAN Felix! FELIX No, that was something I could never have guessed. (_Looks long at Julian with an expression of mingled tenderness and curiosity_) Farewell. JULIAN Are you going? FELIX I need badly to be by myself for a while.--Until to-morrow. JULIAN Yes, and no longer, Felix. To-morrow I shall come to your--I'll call on _you_, Felix. FELIX I shall be waiting for you. (_He goes out_) JULIAN (_stands quite still for a moment; then he goes to the writing desk and stops beside it, lost in contemplation of the picture_) CURTAIN THE THIRD ACT _A room at the Wegrats' adjoining the veranda. The outlook is, of course, determined by the location._ JOHANNA (_is seated on a stool with her hands folded in her lap_) SALA (_enters_) Good morning, Johanna. JOHANNA (_rises, goes to meet him, and draws him close to herself_) Are you coming for the last time? SALA For the last time? What an idea! There has not been the slightest change in our arrangements. To-day is the seventh of October, and the ship will leave Genoa on the twenty-sixth of November. JOHANNA Some day you will suddenly have disappeared. And I shall be standing by the garden door, and nobody will come to open it. SALA But that sort of thing is not needed between us two. JOHANNA No, indeed--bear that in mind. FELIX (_enters_) Oh, is that you, Mr. von Sala? (_They shake hands_) Well, how far have you got with your preparations? SALA There are hardly any needed. I shall pack my trunk, pull down the shades, lock the doors--and be off for the mysteries of far-away. There is something I want to ask you apropos of that, Felix. Would you care to come along? FELIX (_startled_) If I care.... Are you asking seriously, Mr. von Sala? SALA There is just so much seriousness in my question as you wish to put into it. FELIX What does it mean anyhow? If I want to go along to Asia? What use could they have for me in a venture of that kind? SALA Oh, that's pretty plain. FELIX Is the expedition not going to be one of purely scientific character? SALA Yes, that's what it is meant for, I suppose. But it is quite possible that various things may happen that would make the presence of some young men like you very desirable. FELIX Men like me...? SALA When Rolston went out there seven years ago, a lot of things happened which were not provided for in the original program. And they had to fight a regular battle, on a small scale, in the Kara-Kum district, not far from the river Amu-Daria. REUMANN (_who has entered while Sala was speaking_) To those who had to stay behind forever the scale of your battle was probably large enough. (_All greet each other and shake hands without letting the conversation be interrupted_) SALA