And couldn't those things be found in connection with more hopeful prospects? FELIX That's possible. But I don't care to wait. [_Sala and Irene enter._ IRENE (_still on the terrace, talking to Sala_) I couldn't leave Vienna without keeping my promise. SALA And I thank you for it, Miss Herms. IRENE (_descending into the garden with Sala_) You have a wonderful place here.--How do you do, Julian? Good evening, Lieutenant. SALA You should have come earlier, Miss Herms, so that you could have seen it in full sunlight. IRENE Why, I was here two hours ago. But it was like an enchanted castle. It was impossible to get in. The bell didn't ring at all. SALA Oh, of course! I hope you pardon. If I had had the slightest idea.... IRENE Well, it doesn't matter. I have made good use of my time. I went on through the woods as far as Neustift and Salmansdorf.[6] And then I got out and followed a road that I remembered since many years ago. (_She looks at Julian_) I rested on a bench where I sat once many, many years ago, with a close friend. (_Smilingly_) Can you guess, Mr. Fichtner? The outlook is wonderful. Beyond the fields you have a perfect view of the whole city as far as the Danube. [6] Former villages, now suburbs of Vienna, lying still nearer the city limits than Dornbach, where Sala is living. SALA (_pointing to the stone seat_) Won't you sit down here for a while, Miss Herms? IRENE Thanks. (_She raises her lorgnette to study the busts of the two emperors_) It makes one feel quite Roman.... But I hope, gentlemen, I haven't interrupted any conference. SALA Not at all. IRENE I have that feeling, however. All of you look so serious.--I think I'll rather leave. SALA Oh, you mustn't, Miss Herms.--Is there anything more you want to ask me about that affair of ours, Felix? FELIX If Miss Herms would pardon me for a minute.... IRENE Oh, certainly--please! SALA You'll excuse me, Miss Herms.... FELIX It is a question of what I should do in regard to my present commission.--(_He is still speaking as he goes out with Sala_) IRENE What kind of secrets have those two together? What's going on here anyhow? JULIAN Nothing that can be called a secret. That young fellow is also going to join the expedition, I hear. And so they have a lot of things to talk over, of course. IRENE (_who has been following Felix and Sala with her eyes_) Julian--it's he. JULIAN (_remains silent_) IRENE You don't need to answer me. The matter has been in my mind all the time.... The only thing I can't understand is why I haven't discovered it before. It is he.--And he is twenty-three.--And I who actually thought when you drove me away: if only he doesn't kill himself!... And there goes his son. JULIAN What does that help me? He doesn't belong to me. IRENE But look at him! He is there--he's alive, and young, and handsome. Isn't that enough? (_She rises_) And I who was ruined by it! JULIAN How? IRENE Do you understand? Ruined....