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Mistress.—Nor I.

First Gentleman.—What does the rug signify? What do the stars mean?

Mistress.—The rug is a rug. Does even a rug provoke you?

First Gentleman.—And the stars?

Mistress.—The stars are stars. Some design has to be on a rug.

First Gentleman.—Do you know with whom you are dealing? I do not propose to play the fool. If you undertake to play a French farce, it may turn out a tragedy. Surely you are deceiving me.

Mistress.—About whom?

First Gentleman.—That man Ort is here—his name I’m sure is Ort. Why do you invite him?

Mistress.—Gracious! Whom am I to invite? And then he talks so expressively and writes so well. His article about the new tendencies in our literature——

First Gentleman.—I have no faith in the new tendencies.

Mistress.—And the old ones please you?

First Gentleman.—You would like to carry me away from my subject which is unwelcome to you. I know you.

Mistress.—If it please you, we shall talk of Mr. Ort. He is a dear boy, but only a boy. What more would you want? He writes articles.

First Gentleman.—No one reads Mr. Ort’s articles.

Mistress.—Today. But do you know what will be tomorrow? Tastes change so quickly. One must think of everything.

First Gentleman.—You think about everything; but not about me.

Mistress.—Is it so little, all that I have done for you? Every one in the town is laughing at me. They joke about us. It is very disagreeable. And I am living here like a hermit. I live here out of the world, I live here only for you.

First Gentleman.—And Mr. Ort.

Mistress.—Your eternal song. You are unbearable.

First Gentleman.—Oh! I know it all too well. You can not pull the wool over my eyes. You are not sincere. You are deceiving me most assuredly, but once I get evidence enough, (Violent gesture) I will kill you.

Mistress.—You have told me that before.