Page:Plays by Jacinto Benavente - Second series (IA playsbyjacintobe00bena).pdf/71

 are; we are all playing a part. This Princess is not a princess, you are not a countess, and I am not a duchess. The widow of that musician is probably not a widow, if you care to look into it, nor is her husband's music music if it comes to be heard. We all know what we are doing here, and the best thing that others can do is to seem not to know anything.

. Duchessa! You surprise me.

. Not much. We both of us know a good time when we see one, and we have seen our good times, too, but not this season.

. We were young and thoughtless then; we have had leisure since to meditate.

. It is beyond me how you can put up with that Princess, who only two months ago was singing in operetta. I have heard all she knows on a hand-organ. Now it appears she is not only an artist, she is a great lady.

. I shall give myself away if you make me laugh. [Aloud] The Duchessa confesses the superiority of the new music. At bottom, it is the only music.

. It is at bottom. I feel it; I understand it. Although— [''Humming. A pause''] Undeniably that is beautiful; it always makes me cry.

. Why, Duchessa!

. However, when we complete our temple, our Bayreuth

. Ah! Our Bayreuth? Bayreuth is another tradition which is doomed presently to disappear.

. Although we must concede Wagner some merit. He was a timid precursor.

. Who had his successes; but compared with our temple, our vast concert-hall, upon a mountain-top, beside the sea—it should be on an island, if possible