Part 2
Now you're among my ladies. I may boast I'm not unpleasant; rather sad at times Since--
THERESA.
I am grieved beyond the power of words.
MARIA LOUISA.
Yes, to be sure. It was a grievous loss.
That lovely soul was little known!
THERESA.
Oh, surely!
MARIA LOUISA.
[_Turning to_ BOMBELLES.]
I've just been writing; they're to keep his horse--
[_To_ THERESA.]
Since the dear General's death--
THERESA.
The--General's?
MARIA LOUISA.
He'd kept that t.i.tle.
THERESA.
Ah, I understand!
MARIA LOUISA.
I weep.
THERESA.
That t.i.tle was his greatest glory.
MARIA LOUISA.
One cannot know at first all one has lost; And I lost all when General Neipperg died.
THERESA.
Neipperg?
MARIA LOUISA.
I came to Baden for distraction.
It's nice. So near Vienna.--Ah, my dear, My nerves are troublesome; they say I'm thinner-- And growing very like Madame de Berry.
'Twas Vitrolles said so. Now I do my hair Like her. Why did not Heaven take me too?
This villa's small, of course; but 'tisn't bad; Metternich is our guest in pa.s.sing.
[_She points to the door on the left._]
There.
He leaves to-night. The life at Baden's gay.
We have the Sandors and the pianist Thalberg, And Montenegro sings to us in Spanish.
Fontana howls an air from _Figaro_.
The wife of the Amba.s.sador of England And the Archd.u.c.h.ess come; we go for drives-- But nothing soothes my grief!--Ah, could the General--!
Of course you're coming to the ball to-night?
THERESA.
Why--
MARIA LOUISA.
At the Meyendorffs'. Strauss will be there.
She must be present, mustn't she, Bombelles?
THERESA.
May I solicit of your Majesty News of the Duke of Reichstadt?
MARIA LOUISA.
In good health.
He coughs a little; but the air of Baden Is good for him. He's quite a man. He's reached The critical hour of entrance in the world!
Oh dear! when I consider he's already Lieutenant-Colonel! Think how grieved I am Never to have seen him in his uniform!
[_Enter the_ DOCTOR _and his son, bringing a box._
MARIA LOUISA.
Ah! These must be for him!
THE DOCTOR.
Yes; the collections.
MARIA LOUISA.
