MAX. 'Twas at that hunting-castle, betwixt here And Nepomuck, where you had joined us, and That was the last relay of the whole journey; In a balcony we were standing mute, And gazing out upon the dreary field Before us the dragoons were riding onward, The safeguard which the duke had sent us--heavy; The inquietude of parting lay upon me, And trembling ventured at length these words: This all reminds me, noble maiden, that To-day I must take leave of my good fortune. A few hours more, and you will find a father, Will see yourself surrounded by new friends, And I henceforth shall be but as a stranger, Lost in the many--"Speak with my Aunt Terzky!" With hurrying voice she interrupted me. She faltered. I beheld a glowing red Possess her beautiful cheeks, and from the ground Raised slowly up her eye met mine--no longer Did I control myself. [The Princess THEKLA appears at the door, and remains standing, observed by the COUNTESS, but not by PICCOLOMINI. With instant boldness I caught her in my arms, my lips touched hers; There was a rustling in the room close by; It parted us--'Twas you. What since has happened You know. COUNTESS (after a pause, with a stolen glance at THEKLA). And is it your excess of modesty Or are you so incurious, that you do not Ask me too of my secret? MAX. Of your secret? COUNTESS. Why, yes! When in the instant after you I stepped into the room, and found my niece there; What she in this first moment of the heart Taken with surprise---- MAX. (with eagerness). Well? SCENE IV. THEKLA (hurries forward), COUNTESS, MAX. PICCOLOMINI. THEKLA (to the COUNTESS). Spare yourself the trouble: That hears he better from myself. MAX. (stepping backward). My princess! What have you let her hear me say, Aunt Terzky? THEKLA (to the COUNTESS). Has he been here long? COUNTESS. Yes; and soon must go, Where have you stayed so long? THEKLA. Alas! my mother, Wept so again! and I--I see her suffer, Yet cannot keep myself from being happy. MAX. Now once again I have courage to look on you. To-day at noon I could not. The dazzle of the jewels that played round you Hid the beloved from me. THEKLA. Then you saw me With your eye only--and not with your heart?