A letter from Cecilia, written yesterday, before the performance. I have had letters like this every day. MARIE Go right on and read it, please. AMADEUS (_having opened the letter_) Oh, there's plenty of time. In another hour Cecilia will be telling me all that's in it.... (_He opens the other letter, runs through it, and flings it away_) How stupid people are ... _how_ stupid! ... Ugh! And mean! (_He glances through Cecilia's letter once more_) Cecilia writes me about a reception at the house of the Director.... Sigismund was there, too. Yes, you know, of course, that Sigismund has been in Berlin? MARIE (_embarrassed_) I ... I thought ... Or rather, I knew ... AMADEUS (_with an air of superiority_) Well, well--there is no cause for embarrassment in that. Don't you consider the Prince an uncommonly sympathetic person? MARIE Yes, he's very pleasant. But I can assure you, Amadeus, that he came only once to our place in the Pustertal,[4] and he didn't stay more than two hours. [4] A valley along the river Rienz, marking the northern limit of the Dolomite ranges in the Tirol. AMADEUS (_laughing_) And what if he had stayed a week...? Really, Marie, you're very funny! MARIE (_shyly_) May I tell you something? AMADEUS Anything you want, Marie. MARIE I'm convinced that you two will find each other again in spite of all. AMADEUS Find each other...? Who should? Cecilia and I? (_He rises_) Find each other? (_He walks to and fro, but stops finally near Marie_) A sensible woman like you, Marie--you ought to understand that Cecilia and I have never lost each other in any way. I think it's very singular.... (_He strolls back and forth again_) Oh, you must understand that the relationship between her and me is so beautiful--that now only it has become such that we couldn't imagine anything more satisfactory. We don't have to find each other again! Look here now--here are her letters. She has been writing me from eight to twelve pages every day--frank, exhaustive letters, as you can only write them to a friend--or rather, only to your very best friend. It is simply impossible to imagine a finer relationship. ALBERT (_entering from the right_) Good evening. AMADEUS You're rather late in getting here. ALBERT Good evening, Marie. (_He pats her patronizingly on the cheek_) AMADEUS There will hardly be time for work now. Cecilia will be here very soon. ALBERT Oh, we can always put in half an hour. I have brought along some notes for the third act. MARIE I think I shall go home, as the boys will be expecting me soon. ALBERT All right, child, you go on home. AMADEUS Why don't you stay instead? I am sure Cecilia will be glad to see you. And then Albert can take you home. You might get Peter to entertain you in the meantime.... Or would you prefer to stay here and listen? ALBERT No, child, you had better go in to Peter. Especially as Mr. von Rabagas doesn't appear in the third act--so you won't be losing much. MARIE