self is out of the question.

ADELAIDE (_aside_).

I wonder if he wants me to contradict him!

_Enter_ KORB.

KORB (_to_ ADELAIDE).

The gentleman has come.

ADELAIDE.

I will ring.

[_Exit_ KORB.]

Help me out of a little dilemma. I have to speak with a strange young
man who seems in need of help, and I should like to have you stay near
me.--May I leave this door open?

[_Points to the door on the left_.]

COLONEL.

That means, I suppose, in plain English, that I
am to go in there?

ADELAIDE.

I beg it of you--just for five minutes.

COLONEL.

Very well--if only I don't have to listen.

ADELAIDE.

I do not require it; but you will listen all the
same if the conversation happens to interest you.

COLONEL (_smiling_).

In that case I shall come out.

[_Exit to the left_; ADELAIDE _rings_.]

_Enter_ SCHMOCK. KORB _also appears at the entrance, but quickly
withdraws_.

SCHMOCK (_with a bow_).

I wish you a good-morning. Are you the lady who sent me her secretary?

ADELAIDE.

Yes. You said you wished to speak to me personally.

SCHMOCK.

Why should the secretary know about it if I want to tell you
something? Here are the notes that Senden wrote and that I found in
the paper-basket of the _Coriolanus_. Look them over, and see if they
will be of use to the Colonel. What can I do with them? There's
nothing to be done with them.

ADELAIDE (_looking through them, reading, in an aside_).

"Here I send you the wretched specimens of style, etc." Incautious and
very low-minded! [_Lays them on the table. Aloud_.] At any rate these
unimportant notes are better off in my paper-basket than in any one
else's. And what, sir, induces you to confide in me?

[Illustration: _Permission Union Deutsch um Vellagssesellsckaft
Stuttgart_. LUNCH BUFFET AT KISSENGEN ADOLPH VON MENZEL. ]

SCHMOCK.

I suppose because Bellmaus told me you were a clever person who would
choose a good way of telling the Colonel to be on his guard against
Senden and against my editor; and the Colonel is a kind man; the other
day he ordered a glass of sweet wine and a salmon sandwich as a lunch
for me.

COLONEL (_visible at the door, clasping his hands sympathetically_).

Merciful heavens!

SCHMOCK.

Why should I let him be duped by these people!

ADELAIDE.

Since you did not dislike the lunch, we will see that you get another
one.

SCHMOCK.

Oh please, don't trouble yourself on my account.

ADELAIDE.