ER.
Is her mistress a young lady? She told me you are acquainted with her
mistress.

MAJ. T.
Did not you hear? She comes from Thuringia.

WER.
Is the lady young?

MAJ. T.
Yes.

WER.
Pretty?

MAJ. T.
Very pretty.

WER.
Rich?

MAJ. T.
Very rich.

WER.
Is the mistress as fond of you as the maid is? That would be capital!

MAJ. T.
What do you mean?

SCENE X.
Franziska (with a letter in her hand), Major von Tellheim, Paul Werner

FRAN.
Major!!!!!

MAJ. T.
Franziska, I have not yet been able to give you a "Welcome" here.

FRAN.
In thought, I am sure that you have done it. I know you are friendly
to me; so am I to you. But it is not at all kind to vex those who are
friendly to you so much.

WER. (aside).
Ah! now I see it. It is so!

MAJ. T.
My destiny, Franziska! Did you give her the letter?

FRAN.
Yes; and here I bring you...
(holding out a letter).

MAJ. T.
An answer!

FRAN.
No, your own letter again.

MAJ. T.
What! She will not read it!

FRAN.
She would have liked, but--we can't read writing well.

MAJ. T.
You are joking!

FRAN.
And we think that writing was not invented for those who can converse
with their lips whenever they please.

MAJ. T.
What an excuse! She must read it. It contains my justification--all
the grounds and reasons!!!!!

FRAN.
My mistress wishes to hear them all from you yourself, not to read
them.

MAJ. T.
Hear them from me myself! That every look, every word of hers, may
embarrass me; that I may feel in every glance the greatness of my
loss.

FRAN.
Without any pity! Take it.
(Giving him his letter.)
She expects you at three o'clock. She wishes to drive out and see the
town; you must accompany her.

MAJ. T.
Accompany her!

FRAN.
And what will you give me to let you drive out by yourselves? I shall
remain at home.

MAJ. T.
By ourselves!

FRAN.
In a nice close carriage.

MAJ. T.
Impossible!

FRAN.
Yes, yes, in the carriage, Major. You will have to submit quietly; you
cannot escape there! And that is the reason. In short, you will come,
Major, and punctually at three.... Well, you wanted to speak to me
too alone. What have you to say to me? Oh! we are not alone.
(Looking at Werner.)

MAJ. T.
Yes, Franziska; as good as alone. But as your mistress has not read m