piano_)

Really, I can't tell you how happy this makes me! There has practically
been no change whatever. The uneasiness alone is gone ... that
uneasiness of the last few weeks.... I have not had a very happy time
lately. The sky has seemed so black above our house--and not only
above _ours_. Now the clouds are vanishing. The whole world has
actually grown light again. And I am going to write a symphony--oh, a
symphony...!

CECILIA

Everything in due time.... Just now let us have one of those songs at
least.... Oh, that one...?

AMADEUS

Don't you want it?

CECILIA

Oh, as it's there already....

AMADEUS

Now, then--I start. (_He strikes the first chord_) Please don't put a
lot of sentimentality into the opening words. They should be reserved
and ponderous.

CECILIA (_singing_)

"No more to meet you was my firm...."

AMADEUS

Very fine.

CECILIA

O Amadeus!

AMADEUS

What is it?

CECILIA

I am afraid you will become too lenient now.

AMADEUS

Lenient...? You know perfectly well that, as artist considered, you
have no rival in my eyes, and will never have one.

CECILIA

Really, Amadeus, you shouldn't be flirting with all your pupils.

AMADEUS

I have the greatest respect for you.--Now let's go in!

CECILIA

"No more to meet...."

AMADEUS

What's the matter?

CECILIA

Nothing. I haven't tried to sing anything like this for a long time. Go
right on!

AMADEUS (_begins playing again_)

CECILIA

"No more to meet you was my firm and sworn decision, and yet when
evening comes, I...."

CURTAIN

THE SECOND ACT

_The same room as in the previous act. It is an evening in October.
The stage is dark. Marie and the chambermaid enter together. The maid
turns on the light._

MARIE

Thank you.--But if your mistress is tired, please tell her she mustn't
let me disturb her.

CHAMBERMAID

She hasn't arrived yet. She's not expected until this evening.

AMADEUS (_enters from the right, with hat and overcoat on_) Who is
it?... Oh, is it you, Marie! Glad to see you. Have you been here long?

MARIE

No, I just got here. I meant to call on Cecilia, but I hear....

AMADEUS

Then you can keep me company waiting for her. (_Handing overcoat and
hat to the maid_) Please take these.

CHAMBERMAID (_goes out_)

AMADEUS

I have also just got home. I had to do a lot of errands. I start the
day after to-morrow.

MARIE

So soon!--That'll be a short reunion.

AMAD