Page:Poet Lore, volume 31, 1920.djvu/40

 must live and dwell with us. I have a small estate and it is possible for me to acquire some of the things in life that I have pursued.

Polyxena.—You are free, but I am not.

Ctibor.—I will ask your uncle for your hand and heart, and should he be opposed, my master, who has been a second father and a guardian to me, will also be my spokesman.

Polyxena.—Ctibor! (Falling on his breast.)

Ctibor (Embracing her).—Heaven has showered me with blessings! (Kisses her.)

Bilent (Stepping from the laboratory with ).—Those are my hiding places,—and if you have been uneasy in them you may take a long breath and rest at ease.

Polyxena (Seeing stepping out, hastens to meet him.).—Uncle, here is an important letter! (Handing it to him.)

Hannewaldt (Looks at it and starts).—Nobody else has had this in his hands?

Polyxena.—It has not left my hands. ( approaches her, quickly opens the letter and reads. It is apparent there are two letters sealed together.)

Bilent (To ).—Would the lady like to look into my apartments?

Polyxena (Frightened).—Not at all, sir. (Walks off toward .) I feel oppressed when I am even in sight of them.

Hannewaldt (Reads the letter with clouded face).—Wait for me, Polyxena, in the room. ( walks away, escorted to the door by .) Mr. Bilent, I must speak at once with the master!

Bilent.—That is impossible. If the master is entertaining himself among his mistresses, nobody must disturb him.

Hannewaldt (Emphatically).—There is much need of haste, the matter is important! Sir, I will give you anything you may desire, only gain a hearing for me with the master.

Bilent.—Wait then, sir, an hour or a half hour. As soon as Mr. Rozmberk returns, it may be possible to speak with him.

Hannewaldt.—And in a half hour’s time everything may be lost!

Ctibor (Turning at the door).—If an important matter is at