y natural--To whom
have we ceded our rights?

SENDEN.

The present owner of the paper is--

_Enter_ COLONEL _through side door on the left_.

OLDENDORF (_starting back in alarm_).

Colonel!

BOLZ.

Ah, now it is becoming high tragedy!

COLONEL.

First of all, Professor, be assured that I have nothing to do with
this whole affair, and merely come at the request of the purchaser.
Not until I came here, did I know anything of what was going on. I
hope you will take my word for that.

BOLZ.

Well, I find this game unseemly, and I insist on being told who this
new owner is who mysteriously hides behind different persons!

_Enter_ ADELAIDE _from the side door, left._

ADELAIDE.

He stands before you!

BOLZ.

I should just like to faint.

BELLMAUS.

That is a heavenly joke!

ADELAIDE (_bowing_).

How do you do, gentlemen! [_To the staff_.] Am I right in assuming
that these gentlemen have hitherto been connected with editing the
paper?

BELLMAUS (_eagerly_).

Yes, Miss Runeck! Mr. Kaempe for leading articles, Mr. Koerner for the
French and English correspondence, and I for theatre, music, fine
arts, and miscellaneous.

ADELAIDE.

I shall be much pleased if your principles will let you continue
devoting your talents to my newspaper. [_The three members of the
staff bow_.]

BELLMAUS (_laying his hand on his heart_).

Miss Runeck, under your editorship I'll go to the ends of the world!

ADELAIDE (_smiling and politely_).

Ah, no, merely into that room.

[_Points to the door on the right_.]

I
need half an hour to collect my thoughts for my new activities.

BELLMAUS (_while departing_).

That's the best thing I ever heard!

[BELLMAUS, KAeMPE, KOeRNER _leave_.]

ADELAIDE.

Professor, you resigned the management of the paper with a readiness
which delights me. (_Pointedly_.) I wish to edit the _Union_ in my
own fashion.

[_Seizes his hand and leads him to the_ COLONEL.]

Colonel, he is no longer editor; we have outwitted him; you have your
satisfaction.

COLONEL (_holding out his arms to him_).

Come, Oldendorf! For what happened I have been sorry since the moment
we parted.

OLDENDORF.

My honored friend!

ADELAIDE (_pointing to the door on the left_).

There is some one else in there who wants to take part in the
reconciliation. It might be Mr. Gabriel Henning.

IDA _appears at the side door_.

IDA.

Edward!

[OLDENDORF _hurries to the door_, IDA _meets him,