re of it?" "Yes," was the reply. "Then I, as last voter,
choose as member of Parliament"--[_Stops._]

ADELAIDE.

The professor?

SENDEN.

No. "A most clever and cunning politician," so he put it, "Dr. Conrad
Bolz." Then he turned short around and his henchmen followed him.

ADELAIDE (_aside, smiling_).

Aha!

SENDEN.

Oldendorf is member by a majority of two votes.

COLONEL.

Ugh!

SENDEN.

It is a shame! No one is to blame for this result but these
journalists of the _Union_. Such a running about, an intriguing, a
shaking of hands with all the voters, a praising of this Oldendorf, a
shrugging of the shoulders at us--and at you, dear Sir!

COLONEL.

Indeed?

IDA.

That last is not true.

ADELAIDE (_to_ SENDEN).

Show some regard, and spare those here.

COLONEL.

You are trembling, my daughter. You are a woman, and let yourself be
too much affected by such trifles. I will not have you listen to these
tidings any longer. Go, my child! Why, your friend has won, there is
no reason for you to cry! Help her, Miss Adelaide!

IDA (_is led by_ ADELAIDE _to the side door on the left;
entreatingly_.)

Leave me! Stay with father!

SENDEN.

Upon my honor, the bad faith and arrogance with which this paper is
edited are no longer to be endured. Colonel, since we are alone--for
Miss Adelaide will let me count her as one of us--we have a chance to
take a striking revenge. Their days are numbered now. Quite a long
time ago, already, I had the owner of the _Union_ sounded. He is not
disinclined to sell the paper, but merely has scruples about the party
now controlling the sheet. At the club-fete I myself had a talk with
him.

ADELAIDE.

What's this I hear?

SENDEN.

This outcome of the election will cause the greatest bitterness among
all our friends, and I have no doubt that, in a few days, by forming a
stock company, we can collect the purchase price. That would be a
deadly blow to our opponents, a triumph for the good cause. The most
widely-read sheet in the province in our hands, edited by a
committee--

ADELAIDE.

To which Mr. von Senden would not refuse his aid--

SENDEN.

As a matter of duty I should do my part. Colonel, if you would be one
of the shareholders, your example would at once make the purchase a
sure thing.

COLONEL.

Sir, what you do to further your political ideas is your own affair.
Professor Oldendorf, however, has been a welcome guest in my house.
Never will I