ADELAIDE.

And are indulgent toward them when we have so good a heart as you.

COLONEL.

Yes, one profits by experience.

_Enter_ CARL.

CARL.

Mr. von Senden and two other gentlemen.

COLONEL.

What do they want? Pleased to see them!

[_Exit_ CARL.]

Allow me to have them shown in here, children. Senden never stays
long. He is a roving spirit.

[_The ladies rise._]

IDA.

The hour is again spoiled for us.

ADELAIDE.

Don't mind it; we shall have all the more time to dress.

[_Exeunt_ IDA _and_ ADELAIDE _on the left._]

_Enter_ SENDEN, BLUMENBERG, _a third gentleman._

SENDEN.

Colonel, we come on behalf of the committee for the approaching
election to notify you that that committee has unanimously voted to
make you, Colonel, our party's candidate.

COLONEL. _Me?_

SENDEN.

The committee begs you to accept this nomination so that the necessary
announcement can be made to the voters at this evening's fete.

COLONEL.

Are you in earnest, dear Senden? Where did the committee get such an
idea?

SENDEN.

Colonel, our president, who had previously agreed to run for our town,
found that it would be more advantageous to be candidate from a
provincial district; apart from him no one of our townsmen is so well
known and so popular with the citizens as yourself. If you accede to
our request our party is certain of victory; if you refuse, there is
every probability that our opponents will have their own way. You will
agree with us that such an eventuality must be avoided under all
circumstances.

COLONEL.

I see all that; but, on personal grounds, it is impossible for me to
help our friends in this matter.

SENDEN (_to the others_).

Let me explain to the Colonel certain things which will possibly make
him look favorably on our request.

[_Exeunt_ BLUMENBERG _and the other gentlemen into the garden, where
they are visible from time to time._]

COLONEL.

But, Senden, how could you put me in this embarrassing position! You
know that for years Oldendorf has frequented my house and that it will
be extremely unpleasant for me openly to oppose him.

SENDEN.

If the professor is really so devoted to you and your household, he
has now the best opportunity to show it. It is a foregone conclusion
that he will at once withdraw.

COLONEL.

I am not quite so sure of that; he is very stubborn in many ways.

SENDEN.

If he do not withdraw such egotism can scarcely still be called
stubbo