In that respect you are probably right, Doctor. FELIX Pardon me, Mr. von Sala, but does this come from you alone? Is it just a sudden notion--or something more? SALA I have received no direct request from anybody to speak of this. But after the conference which took place at the Foreign Department yesterday, and which I attended, I feel entitled to add a little more.--Oh, no secrets at all!--You have probably read, Felix, that a member of the General Staff as well as several artillery and engineering officers are being sent with us in what might be termed a semi-official capacity. On account of the latest news from Asia--which, however, does not seem very reliable to me, as it has come by way of England--it has been decided to secure the additional cooperation of some young line officers, and all arrangements of this kind must be left to private initiative. FELIX And there might be a possibility for me...? SALA Will you permit me to speak to Count Ronsky? FELIX Have you already mentioned my name to him? SALA I have received permission to ask whether you could be prepared to board the ship with the rest at Genoa on the twenty-sixth of November. REUMANN Do you mean to leave Vienna as soon as that? SALA (_sarcastically_) Yes. Why did you look at me like that, Doctor? That glance of yours was a little indiscreet. REUMANN In what respect? SALA It seemed to say: Yes, you can start, of course, but if you ever come back, that's more than doubtful. REUMANN Let me tell you, Mr. von Sala, that in the face of a venture like yours one might well express such doubts quite openly. But are you at all interested in whether you get back or not, Mr. von Sala? I don't suppose you belong to the kind of people who care to put their affairs in order. SALA No, indeed. Especially not as, in cases of that kind, it is generally the affairs of others which give you needless trouble. If I were to be interested at all in my own chances, it would be for much more selfish reasons. JOHANNA What reasons? SALA I don't want to be cheated out of the consciousness that certain moments are my final ones. REUMANN There are not many people who share your attitude in that respect. SALA At any rate, Doctor, you would have to tell me the absolute truth if I ever asked you for it. I hold that one has the right to drain one's own life to the last drop, with all the horrors and delights that may lie hidden at the bottom of it. Just as it is our evident duty every day to commit every good deed and every rascality lying within our capacity.... No, I won't let you rob me of my death moments by any kind of hocus-pocus. It would imply a small-minded attitude, worthy neither of yourself nor of me.--Well, Felix, the twenty-sixth of November then! That's still seven weeks off. In regard to any formalities that may be required, you need have no worry at all. FELIX How long a time have I got to make up my mind? SALA