I'll leave you alone. Bye-bye! (_She goes out_) ALBERT Now let's fall to! (_He brings out some notes from one of his pockets and begins to read_) "The stage shows an open stretch of rolling ground that slopes gradually toward the footlights. In the background stands a villa, with marble steps leading up to it. Still farther back, the sea can be felt rather than seen." (_Bowing to Amadeus_) "A tall plane tree in full leaf stands in the center of the stage." AMADEUS (_laughing_) So you have got it there? ALBERT It's meant as a compliment to you. AMADEUS Many thanks. ALBERT (_after a pause_) Tell me, Amadeus, is it actually true that the Count has become reconciled with the Countess after his duel with the painter? AMADEUS I don't know. For a good long while I haven't seen the Countess except at the opera. (_He rises and begins walking to and fro again_) ALBERT (_shaking his head_) There's something uncanny about that affair. AMADEUS Why? I think it's quite commonplace. A husband who has discovered his wife's (_sarcastically_) "disloyalty".... ALBERT That wasn't the point. But that he discovers it only six months too late, when his wife is already deceiving him with another man.--There would have been nothing peculiar about the Count having a fight with you. But the case is much more complicated. Here we have a young man all but killed because of an affair that is long past. And in the meantime you are left perfectly unmolested--or have been so far, at least. AMADEUS (_walking as before_) ALBERT Do you know, what I almost regret--looking at it from a higher viewpoint? That the painter is not a man of genius ... and that the Count hasn't _really_ killed him. That would have put something tremendously tragi-comical into the situation. And that's what would have happened, if ... _he up there_ had a little more wit.... AMADEUS How? What do you mean by that? ALBERT I mean, if I had been writing the play.... AMADEUS (_makes a movement as if hearing some noise outside_) ALBERT What is it? AMADEUS I thought I heard a carriage, but it was nothing. (_He looks at his watch_) And it wouldn't be possible yet.... You read on, please. (_Once more he begins walking back and forth_) ALBERT You're very preoccupied. I'll rather come back to-morrow morning. AMADEUS No, go on. I am not at all.... ALBERT (_rising_) Let me tell you something, Amadeus. If it would please you--and it would be all one to me, you know--I could go with you. AMADEUS Where?... What do you mean? ALBERT On your tour. For a week, at least, or a fortnight, I should be very glad to stay by you ... (_affectionately_) until you have got over the worst. AMADEUS But...! Good gracious, do you think it's because of the Countess...? Why, that story is over long ago. ALBERT Which I know. And I know, too, that you are now trying other means of making yourself insensible. But I see perfectly well that, under the circumstances, you can't succeed all at once.