Page:Plays by Jacinto Benavente - Second series (IA playsbyjacintobe00bena).pdf/104

 No, leave me here; I must recuperate, gazing up into the heavens on this beautiful night, which is all tenderness.

. Under no circumstances expose yourself upon the balcony. The night is cold…

. Perhaps, for these lands where the orange-flower blooms, as Mignon sings, but to me it seems a beautiful midsummer evening, after the icy drafts of the Kingdom of Suavia.—Why! I hear music… It cannot be the concert; it floats in from outside, from a distance. It is a waltz, a delicious waltz!

. One of those gypsy orchestras which infest the neighborhood. There is an all-night restaurant near by, just at the rear of the villa, a resort of the most villainous character. Carnival is coming on, so masked balls are in season. I assure you that they are interesting, in fact unique. One meets the entire Almanac de Gotha of crime at them.

. Is it possible? You alarm me.

. Do you think that perhaps we might arrange to be present?

. Highness! I am shocked… The idea occurred to you upon the spur of the moment, as the Comte spoke.

. I advise against it. If one goes alone, it is dangerous; if the police are along, the thing loses its attraction. The dance does not seem the same.

. Silence!

. Do you hear anything?

. Don't you see?

. Yes, in the garden… My secretary, Chantel.

. But who is she? Who is she? One of the guests?

. I think not. No… I cannot make out from here.