I might take
my own life. I shall get over it, being still young.--Oh, my dear
Master, if things could only become what they used to be, so that I
could sit here at the fireplace while Cecilia was singing--or hammer
away at the piano after supper...!

AMADEUS

Don't be quite so modest, please! The fame of your piano playing has
reached Berlin even, I hear.

SIGISMUND

So she has told you that, too?!--But you see, dear Master, all that can
never come back--we could no longer feel at ease with each other....
So--never to meet again!

AMADEUS

Never.... Why? Perhaps I shall see you very soon alone. I am
also--going away.

SIGISMUND

I know. We were talking of it yesterday, in the dining car. You are to
conduct your--number-which-one is it now?

AMADEUS

The fourth.

SIGISMUND

So you have got that far already?--And where are you going anyhow?

AMADEUS

To the Rhine district first of all; then by way of Munich to
Italy--Venice, Milan, Rome.

SIGISMUND

Rome...? There we may possibly meet. But you'll have to pardon me for
not coming to your concerts. So far I have not been able to understand
your symphonies.... But I am sure I shall sometime! One does grow more
and more clever, and sorrow and experiences in particular have a
maturing influence.... "Now he's making fun of it," I suppose you are
thinking. But, really, I am not in a very humorous mood. Farewell, my
dear Master--and my most respectful compliments to your wife. (_He
goes out_)

AMADEUS (_walks back and forth; takes a few deep breaths, as if
relieved; goes out into the garden; returns; sits down at the piano and
plays a few improvisations; gets up and goes to the writing desk, where
he begins to look for something among the papers_) Where's that Solo?
... She's going to sing it, and I shall be present...! (_He seats
himself at the piano again, apparently in a very happy mood_)
Cecilia!... Cecilia!

CECILIA (_enters_)

AMADEUS (_rising_)

Ah, there you are at last, Cecilia!

CECELIA (_very calmly_)

Good-morning, Amadeus.

AMADEUS

A little late.

CECILIA (_smiling_)

Yes. (_She takes off her hat and goes to the mirror to arrange her
hair_)

AMADEUS

What made you get out so early?

CECILIA

Various things I had to attend to.

AMADEUS

And may one ask...?

CECILIA

One may.--Look here, what I have got for you. (_She takes a letter from
a small bag_)

AMADEUS

What's that? (_He takes it_) What...? My lette