II, Theaterstücke 5, Liebelei. Schauspiel in drei Akten, Seite 555

iebelei
5. Snsenmnen.
box 10/8
Schlager, a smart young milliner, merry, light-hearted and
good-natured, soon to be followed byChristine. There follows
a delightful hour, Theodor and Mizi doing their best to cheer
up Fritz and Christine, For Christine is sad; she is deeply
in love with Fritz, and therefore feels that his love of her is
not what she wishes it to be; he dees not come to see her as
often as she should wish; moreover, she has seen him at the
Opera the other day in company of a lady to whom he was
paying marked attentions, and her jealousy is roused. Vet
so irresistible is the merry mood ofthe others that both Fritz
and Christine cannot help joining in. After supper, while
music and dancing are going on, the general merriment is
suddenly interrupted by a bell. Fritz asks the girls and bis
friend to wait in the adjoining room, while he himself goes to
open the door to the husband of his mistress. Not many
words are exchanged; the wronged husband returns the
letters to his wife and brings the challenge to a duel. Now
all is lost. When the visitor has left Fritz calls in Theodor
and explains to him in a few hurried words who his visitor
was; the duel is to take place in two days. Theodor is the
self-same night to go and find out another friend who is to
act as second. Theodor tries to make light of the affair, but
Fritz knows that in two days he will be a dead man. Then
the girls are called in; of course the are kept in ignorance
as to what has occurred, and the happy evening is continued
until the time has come to leave.
Christine's room. Christine, who is on the point
Acr II. of going out, is detained by Catherine Binder a,
neighbouring hosier’s wife, who comes to ask her to go out
with them in the evening, but the girl refuses, for she knows
quite well that Catherine’s cousin will be of the party, and
the young man being very much in love with her Christine
does not wish to encourage his advances. Their conver¬
sation is interrupted by old Weiring; his kindly face is
beaming on his daughter while he hands her a spray of lilac and
urges her to go out into the wonderful spring air. Christine
leaves, glad to be able to get off. Her father’s eyes follow
her tenderly; though his child has not breathed a wordto him
he knows her secret and gladly allows her to live her dream
of love. And to Mrs. Binder’s spiteful remark whether it is
wiseto let apretty young girlgo her own ways, unguarded, he
simply answers by describing to her his late sister, whom he
had carefully guarded from all temptation: “1 still see her
before me—how often she used to sit opposite me in the
this room, the lamp bet
eveni
lookin,
ith her quiet smile
th
she
edtothank me for so
e
vu myself at her feetta
fain ha
rso well from all t
aving shiel
sation is interrup
ewminutes late
and depressed. S
yt
V
it is nothing bu
his orchestral
zi, Christine confides t
but he had not co
out to me
to comfort her and convert her to
Fritz enters. Christine is delighted
alone. Itisthe first time that Fritz ha
room; everything here surrounds h
and love. He feels so happy and at
and nearer and nearer does he fe
this gentle young heart. But it is
love and life is over. To-morrow w
gently tells Christine that he will!
short time to go and see his pare
forebodings he tries to calm.
strikes. Theodor comes to fetch F.
Christine is in a fearful s
ACT III. days have passed and
from Fritz, nor have they seen Thed
Mizi to go and see if Theodor is ba
about Fritz. Mizi promises to do it
Weiring enters. Helcoks at his c
it yet. And gently and tenderly he
heart for the terrible blow that is co
beyond endurance, tries to rush ouf
means, when Mizi and Theodor e
poor girl the whole, sad truth. Frit
for another woman! Her love is de
not known it! She entreats Theod
let her have a last look at his fad
buried this very morning! Buried,
In wild despair she tears herself
rushes out; Theodor and Mizi rush
broken father feels they will be tod
sobbing: “ She won't come back !