Yes--I'll come. I'll call off my appointments with Neumann and the Countess. CECILIA If it isn't too great a sacrifice.... AMADEUS (_with assumed brusqueness_) Oh, I can make her come in the afternoon. CECILIA But then there will be no time left for your _own_ work. No, better let it be. AMADEUS What had we better let be? CECILIA Don't come to the rehearsal to-morrow. AMADEUS Just as you say, Cecilia. I won't intrude, of course. But a moment ago you said that you felt more certain of yourself when I was within reach. And as far as my work is concerned, I don't think--Albert and I were just talking of it--nothing will come of it until the season is over. CECILIA That's what I suspected. AMADEUS But during the summer I'll complete my Fourth. I must have something new to conduct this year. And it's only a question of the final passages, for that matter. All the rest is as good as finished--in my mind at least. CECILIA It's a long time since you let me hear anything of it. AMADEUS It hasn't quite reached the point where it can be played. But, of course, you know the principal themes ... the Allegro ... and then the Intermezzo.... (_He goes to the piano and strikes a few notes_) CECILIA So you are going next November? AMADEUS Yes, for three months. CECILIA And during October I shall be in Berlin. AMADEUS Oh ... is there any news in that matter? CECILIA Yes, I have practically closed. Reichenbach came to see me at the opera-house. I'm to appear in three parts. As Carmen under all circumstances. The other two are left to my own choice. AMADEUS And what do you...? CECILIA Tatyana,[3] I suppose. I have heard that they have such a splendid Onyegin. [3] Tatyana and Onyegin are characters in the opera "Eugene Onyegin," by Tschaikovsky, which is founded on Pushkin's famous poem of the same name. AMADEUS Yes, Wedius. I know him. He was in Dresden when I was there.--Carmen, then, and Tatyana, and...? CECILIA I am still considering.... Perhaps we might talk it over? AMADEUS Of course. (_Pause_) CECILIA It's going to be a busy Winter. AMADEUS Rather. We won't see much of each other. CECILIA We'll have to correspond. AMADEUS As we have done before. CECILIA We're used to it. AMADEUS Yes. (_Pause_) Tell me by the way: do you actually want to assist at that charity concert? CECILIA Why not? I couldn't say no to Marie. Have you any objection? AMADEUS No--why should I? But we might use the half hour that's left to go over something. (_He goes to the music-stand_) What do you want to sing? CECILIA Oh, something of yours, for one thing ... AMADEUS Oh, no, no. CECILIA Why not? AMADEUS There's nothing within yourself that prompts you to sing it anyhow. CECILIA Just as you say, Amadeus.--I don't want to intrude either. AMADEUS (_bending forward and searching among the music_) How would Schumann be--"The Snow-drop?" Or ... "Old Melodies" ... and "Love Betrayed".... CECILIA