Kurt. (_Slapping him on the back_) And besides that, boots and saddles astride Papa's desk chair.

Lothar. (_Sharply_) Oh I say, old fellow!

Leonore. The desk chair isn't the slowest horse in the race for fortune you know, Herr Lieutenant.

Hugo. Oh, that was good!

Kurt. But I looked for you last evening.

Lothar. The evening.--We were invited somewhere? Where? It isn't quite clear in my memory now. We won't discuss the matter. You seem to be amused, Gnadiges Fraulein?

Leonore. Is that forbidden?

Lothar. But really, you know, you in your pride and seclusion, have hardly an idea what the word _saison_ means in our good German tongue.

Hugo. It is quite two months, Gnadiges Fraulein, that I have done what you might really call sleeping.

Kurt. And that was on a billiard table.

Lothar. Oh, our respected Kurt meant that as a joke! But if you knew what it meant to be a martyr to amus.e.m.e.nt, you would understand what we mean.

Leonore. I have made such an effort to understand you that I already begin to feel sorry for you.

Hugo. (_Aside to_ Lothar) I believe the girl is making fun of us.

Lothar. (_Aside, arrogantly_) Every woman tries to be a coquette.

Kurt. (_Who has gone over to_ Lenore, _aside_) You don't need to be so disagreeable.

Leonore. (_Rocking_) Hm? (_Goes on reading_)

Lothar. Might I ask what it is that takes so much of the Gnadiges Fraulein's attention.

Kurt. (_To himself_) If he would only let her be!

Leonore. Something that would hardly be of interest to the martyrs of amus.e.m.e.nt--for it concerns the martyrs of labor.

Lothar. Ah, I see.

Hugo. (_Getting up_) But weren't we going to see the horse?

Lothar. Ah yes! you two go ahead--The martyrs of labor interest me more than the Gnadiges Fraulein believes.

Kurt. (_To himself_) Oh, the poor devil!

Hugo. Good heavens!

Kurt. Come, Stengel, come! (_They go out_)

Leonore. (_Looking impatiently at the clock_) In what way can I be of service to you, Herr Brandt?

Lothar. Gnadiges Fraulein, I very much regret that you quite misunderstand me, for although I admit that I----

Leonore. And in order to prove that, you are willing to waste----

Lothar. A moment, please!

Leonore. (_Aside_) A proposal!

Lothar. My faults may be without number, but, Gnadiges Fraulein, I am a man of honor.

Leonore. I should think that that was to be taken for granted from the son of a respectable family, Herr Brandt, and as little worthy of praise as the fact that he wears a well-cut coat.

Lothar. Then you respect honor no more?

Leonore. Pardon me. I meant no disrespect to the ill-clad. But one doesn't bring them into the parlor. But I interrupted you, Herr Brandt.

Perhaps I do misunderstand you. Please continue.

Lothar. I must admit, Gnadiges Fraulein, you have intimidated me. And that is something! For what is a man without courage?

Leonore. Ah, that is another thing. Courage, I can respect! But what have you done so far that has shown your courage?

Lothar. Ask my friends. That at least is above reproach.

Leonore. In other words, you have fought a duel.

Lothar. One doesn't discuss such things before ladies.

Leonore. But we hear about them just the same. We are here to offer the victor his laurels. Did you ever break a lance in defence of a conviction which you know in your heart you yourself have violated?

Lothar. (_Indignantly_) How can you ask that? Such a thing could never occur to me!

Leonore. Or have you never silently borne an unworthy suspicion?

Lothar. I? Silently? On the contrary.

Leonore. Never?

Lothar. Never, Fraulein.

Leonore. Then one can't be absolutely certain about your courage, Herr--may I say Lieutenant?--(_She rises_) First the test, and then perhaps we can discuss the matter further.

Lothar. (_Trying to hold her back_) Fraulein--

(_Enter_ Wilhelm.)

Wilhelm. Will the gentlemen step in here a moment?