Minna Von Barnhelm

ACT II.

  SCENE I.
  Minna's Room. Minna, Franziska

  MIN. (in morning dress, looking at her watch).
  Franziska, we have risen very early. The time will hang heavy on our
  hands.

  FRAN.
  Who can sleep in these abominable large towns? The carriages, the
  watchmen, the drums, the cats, the soldiers, never cease to rattle, to
  call, to roll, to mew, and to swear; just as if the last thing the
  night is intended for was for sleep. Have a cup of tea, my lady!

  MIN.
  I don't care for tea.

  FRAN.
  I will have some chocolate made.

  MIN.
  For yourself, if you like.

  FRAN.
  For myself! I would as soon talk to myself as drink by myself. Then
  the time will indeed hang heavy. For very weariness we shall have to
  make our toilets, and try on the dress in which we intend to make the
  first attack!

  MIN.
  Why do you talk of attacks, when I have only come to require that the
  capitulation be ratified?

  FRAN.
  But the officer whom we have dislodged, and to whom we have
  apologized, cannot be the best bred man in the world, or he might at
  least have begged the honour of being allowed to wait upon you.

  MIN.
  All officers are not Tellheims. To tell you the truth, I only sent him
  the message in order to have an opportunity of inquiring from him
  about Tellheim. Franziska, my heart tells me my journey will be a
  successful one and that I shall find him.

  FRAN.
  The heart, my lady! One must not trust to that too much. The heart
  echoes to us the words of our tongues. If the tongue was as much
  inclined to speak the thoughts of the heart, the fashion of keeping
  mouths under lock and key would have come in long ago.

  MIN.
  Ha! ha! mouths under lock and key. That fashion would just suit me.

  FRAN.
  Rather not show the most beautiful set of teeth, than let the heart be
  seen through them every moment.

  MIN.
  What, are you so reserved?

  FRAN.
  No, my lady; but I would willingly be more so. People seldom talk of
  the virtue they possess, and all the more often of that which they do
  not possess.

  MIN.
  Franziska, you made a very just remark there.

  FRAN.
  Made! Does one make it, if it occurs to one?

  MIN.
  And do you know why I consider it so good? It applies to my Tellheim.

  FRAN.
  What would not, in your opinion, apply to him?

  MIN.
  Friend and foe say he is the bravest man in the world. But who ever
  heard him talk of bravery? He has the most upright mind; but
  uprightness and nobleness of mind are words never on his tongue.

  FRAN.
  Of what virtues does he talk then?

  MIN.
  He talks of none, for he is wanting in none.

  FRAN.
  That is just what I wished to hear.

  MIN.
  Wait, Franziska; I am wrong. He often talks of economy. Between
  ourselves, I believe he is extravagant.

  FRAN.
  One thing more, my lady. I have often heard him mention truth and
  constancy toward you. What, if he be inconstant?

  MIN.
  Miserable girl! But do you mean that seriously?

  FRAN.
  How long is it since he wrote to you?

  MIN.
  Alas! he has only written to me once since the peace.

  FRAN.
  What!—A sigh on account of the peace? Surprising? Peace ought only to
  make good the ill which war causes; but it seems to disturb the good
  which the latter, its opposite, may have occasioned. Peace should not
  be so capricious!... How long have we had peace? The time seems
  wonderfully long, when there is so little news. It is no use the post
  going regularly again; nobody writes, for nobody has anything to write
  about.

  MIN.
  "Peace has been made," he wrote to me, "and I am approaching the
  fulfillment of my wishes." But since he only wrote that to me once,
  only once!!!!!

  FRAN.
  And since he compels us to run after this fulfillment of his wishes
  ourselves... If we can but find him, he shall pay for this! Suppose,
  in the meantime, he may have accomplished his wishes, and we should
  learn here that!!!!!

  MIN. (anxiously).
  That he is dead?

  FRAN.
  To you, my lady; and married to another.

  MIN.
  You tease, you! Wait, Franziska, I will pay you out for this! But talk
  to me, or I shall fall asleep. His regiment was disbanded after the
  peace. Who knows into what a confusion of bills and papers he may
  thereby have been brought? Who knows into what other regiment, or to
  what distant station, he may have been sent? Who knows what
  circumstances—There's a knock at the door.

  FRAN.
  Come in!

  SCENE II.
  Landlord, Minna, Franziska

  LAND. (putting his head in at the door).
  Am I permitted, your ladyship?

  FRAN.
  Our landlord?—Come in!

  LAND. (A pen behind his ear, a sheet of paper and an inkstand in his
  hand).
  I am come, your ladyship, to wish you a most humble good-morning;
  (to Franziska)
  and the same to you, my pretty maid.

  FRAN.
  A polite man!

  MIN.
  We are obliged to you.

  FRAN.
  And wish you also a good-morning.

  LAND.
  May I venture to ask how your ladyship has passed the first night
  under my poor roof?

  FRAN.
  The roof is not so bad, sir; but the beds might have been better.

  LAND.
  What do I hear! Not slept well! Perhaps the over-fatigue of the
  journey!!!!!

  MIN.
  Perhaps.

  LAND.
  Certainly, certainly, for otherwise.... Yet, should there be
  anything not perfectly comfortable, my lady, I hope you will not fail
  to command me.

  FRAN.
  Very well, Mr. Landlord, very well! We are not bashful; and least of
  all should one be bashful at an inn. We shall not fail to say what we
  may wish.

  LAND.
  I next come to...
  (taking the pen from behind his ear).

  FRAN.
  Well?

  LAND.
  Without doubt, my lady, you are already acquainted with the wise
  regulations of our police.

  MIN.
  Not in the least, sir.

  LAND.
  We landlords are instructed not to take in any stranger, of whatever
  rank or sex he may be, for four-and-twenty hours, without delivering,
  in writing, his name, place of abode, occupation, object of his
  journey, probable stay, and so on, to the proper authorities.

  MIN.
  Very well.

  LAND.
  Will your ladyship then be so good...
  (going to the table, and making ready to write).

  MIN.
  Willingly. My name is!!!!!

  LAND.
  One minute!
  (He writes.)
  "Date, 22nd August, A. D., &C.; arrived at the King of Spain hotel."
  Now your name, my lady.

  MIN.
  Fraulein von Barnhelm.

  LAND. (writes).
  "Von Barnhelm." Coming from.... where, your ladyship?

  MIN.
  From my estate in Saxony.

  LAND. (writes).
  "Estate in Saxony." Saxony! Indeed, indeed! In Saxony, your ladyship?
  Saxony?

  FRAN.
  Well, why not? I hope it is no sin in this country to come from Saxony!

  LAND.
  A sin? Heaven forbid! That would be quite a new sin! From Saxony then?
  Yes, yes, from Saxony, a delightful country, Saxony! But if I am
  right, your ladyship, Saxony is not small, and has several—how shall
  I call them? districts, provinces. Our police are very particular,
  your ladyship.

  MIN.
  I understand. From my estate in Thuringia, then.

  LAND.
  From Thuringia! Yes, that is better, your ladyship; that is more
  exact.
  (Writes and reads.)
  "Fraulein von Barnhelm, coming from her estate in Thuringia, together
  with her lady in waiting and two men servants."

  FRAN.
  Lady in waiting! That means me, I suppose!

  LAND.
  Yes, my pretty maid.

  FRAN.
  Well, Mr. Landlord, instead of "lady in waiting," write "maid in
  waiting." You say, the police are very exact; it might cause a
  misunderstanding, which might give me trouble some day when my banns
  are read out. For I really am still unmarried, and my name is
  Franziska, with the family name of Willig: Franziska Willig. I also
  come from Thuringia. My father was a miller, on one of my lady's
  estates. It is called Little Rammsdorf. My brother has the mill now. I
  was taken very early to the manor, and educated with my lady. We are
  of the same age—one-and-twenty next Candlemas. I learnt everything my
  lady learnt. I should like the police to have a full account of me.

  LAND.
  Quite right, my pretty maid; I will bear that in mind, in case of
  future inquiries. But now, your ladyship, your business here?

  MIN.
  My business here?

  LAND.
  Have you any business with His Majesty the King?

  MIN.
  Oh! no.

  LAND.
  Or at our courts of justice?

  MIN.
  No.

  LAND.
  Or!!!!!

  MIN.
  No, no. I have come here solely on account of my own private affairs.

  LAND.
  Quite right, your ladyship; but what are those private affairs?

  MIN.
  They are... Franziska, I think we are undergoing an examination.

  FRAN.
  Mr. Landlord, the police surely do not ask to know a young lady's
  secrets!

  LAND.
  Certainly, my pretty maid; the police wish to know everything, and
  especially secrets.

  FRAN.
  What is to be done, my lady?... Well, listen, Mr. Landlord—but
  take care that it does not go beyond ourselves and the police.

  MIN.
  What is the simpleton going to tell him?

  FRAN.
  We come to carry off an officer from the king.

  LAND.
  How? What? My dear girl!

  FRAN.
  Or to let ourselves be carried off by the officer. It is all one.

  MIN.
  Franziska, are you mad? The saucy girl is laughing at you.

  LAND.
  I hope not! With your humble servant indeed she may jest as much as
  she pleases; but with the police!!!!!

  MIN.
  I tell you what; I do not understand how to act in this matter.
  Suppose you postpone the whole affair till my uncle's arrival. I told
  you yesterday why he did not come with me. He had an accident with his
  carriage ten miles from here, and did not wish that I should remain a
  night longer on the road, so I had to come on. I am sure he will not
  be more than four-and-twenty hours after us.

  LAND.
  Very well, madam, we will wait for him.

  MIN.
  He will be able to answer your questions better. He will know to whom,
  and to what extent, he must give an account of himself—what he must
  relate respecting his affairs, and what he may withhold.

  LAND.
  So much the better! Indeed one cannot expect a young girl
  (looking at Franziska in a marked manner)
  to treat a serious matter with serious people in a serious manner.

  MIN.
  And his rooms are in readiness, I hope?

  LAND.
  Quite, your ladyship, quite; except the one!!!!!

  FRAN.
  Out of which, I suppose, you will have to turn some other honourable
  gentleman!

  LAND.
  The waiting maids of Saxony, your ladyship, seem to be very
  compassionate.

  MIN.
  In truth, sir, that was not well done. You ought rather to have
  refused us.

  LAND.
  Why so, your ladyship, why so?

  MIN.
  I understand that the officer who was driven out on our account!!!!!

  LAND.
  Is only a discharged officer, your ladyship.

  MIN.
  Well, what then?

  LAND.
  Who is almost done for.

  MIN.
  So much the worse! He is said to be a very deserving man.

  LAND.
  But I tell you he is discharged.

  MIN.
  The king cannot be acquainted with every deserving man.

  LAND.
  Oh! doubtless he knows them; he knows them all.

  MIN.
  But he cannot reward them all.

  LAND.
  They would have been rewarded if they had lived so as to deserve it.
  But they lived during the war as if it would last for ever; as if the
  words "yours" and "mine" were done away with altogether. Now all the
  hotels and inns are full of them, and a landlord has to be on his
  guard with them. I have come off pretty well with this one. If he had
  no more money, he had at any rate money's worth; and I might indeed
  have let him remain quiet two or three months longer. However, it is
  better as it is. By-the-by, your ladyship, you understand about
  jewels, I suppose?

  MIN.
  Not particularly.

  LAND.
  Of course your ladyship must. I must show you a ring, a valuable ring.
  I see you have a very beautiful one on your finger; and the more I
  look at it, the more I am astonished at the resemblance it bears to
  mine. There! just look, just look!
  (Taking the ring from its case, and handing it to her.)
  What brilliancy! The diamond in the middle alone weighs more than five
  carats.

  MIN. (looking at it).
  Good heavens! What do I see? This ring!!!!!

  LAND.
  Is honestly worth fifteen hundred thalers.

  MIN.
  Franziska! look!

  LAND.
  I did not hesitate for a moment to advance eighty pistoles on it.

  MIN.
  Do not you recognize it, Franziska?

  FRAN.
  The same! Where did you get that ring, Mr. Landlord?

  LAND.
  Come, my girl! you surely have no claim to it?

  FRAN.
  We have no claim to this ring! My mistress' monogram must be on it, on
  the inner side of the setting. Look at it, my lady.

  MIN.
  It is! it is! How did you get this ring?

  LAND.
  I! In the most honourable way in the world. You do not wish to bring
  me into disgrace and trouble, your ladyship! How do I know where the
  ring properly belongs? During the war many a thing often changed
  masters, both with and without the knowledge of its owner. War was
  war. Other rings will have crossed the borders of Saxony. Give it me
  again, your ladyship; give it me again!

  FRAN.
  When you have said from whom you got it.

  LAND.
  From a man whom I cannot think capable of such things; in other
  respects a good man.

  MIN.
  From the best man under the sun, if you have it from its owner. Bring
  him here directly! It is himself, or at any rate he must know him.

  LAND.
  Who? who, your ladyship?

  FRAN.
  Are you deaf? Our Major!

  LAND.
  Major! Right! he is a Major, who had this room before you, and from
  whom I received it.

  MIN.
  Major von Tellheim!

  LAND.
  Yes, Tellheim. Do you know him?

  MIN.
  Do I know him! He is here! Tellheim here! He had this room! He! he
  pledged this ring with you! What has brought him into this
  embarrassment? Where is he? Does he owe you anything? Franziska, my
  desk here! Open it!
  (Franziska puts it on the table and opens it.)
  What does he owe you? To whom else does he owe anything? Bring me all
  his creditors! Here is gold: here are notes. It is all his!

  LAND.
  What is this?

  MIN.
  Where is he? Where is he?

  LAND.
  An hour ago he was here.

  MIN.
  Detested man! how could you act so rudely, so hardly, so cruelly
  towards him?

  LAND.
  Your ladyship must pardon!!!!!

  MIN.
  Quick! Bring him to me.

  LAND.
  His servant is perhaps still here. Does your ladyship wish that he
  should look for him?

  MIN.
  Do I wish it? Begone, run. For this service alone I will forget how
  badly you have behaved to him.

  FRAN.
  Now then, quick, Mr. Landlord! Be off! fly! fly!
  (Pushes him out.)

  SCENE III.
  Minna, Franziska

  MIN.
  Now I have found him again, Franziska! Do you hear? Now I have found
  him again! I scarcely know where I am for joy! Rejoice with me,
  Franziska. But why should you? And yet you shall; you must rejoice
  with me. Come, I will make you a present, that you may be able to
  rejoice with me. Say, Franziska, what shall I give you? Which of my
  things would please you? What would you like? Take what you will; only
  rejoice with me. I see you will take nothing. Stop!
  (Thrusts her hand into the desk.)
  There, Franziska,
  (gives her money)
  buy yourself what you like. Ask for more, if it be not sufficient; but
  rejoice with me you must. It is so melancholy to be happy alone.
  There, take it, then.

  FRAN.
  It is stealing it from you, my lady. You are intoxicated, quite
  intoxicated with joy.

  MIN.
  Girl, my intoxication is of a quarrelsome kind. Take it, or
  (forcing money into her hand)
  ... and if you thank me... Stay, it is well that I think of it.
  (Takes more money from the desk.)
  Put that aside, Franziska, for the first poor wounded soldier who
  accosts us.

  SCENE IV.
  Landlord, Minna, and Franziska

  MIN.
  Well, is he coming?

  LAND.
  The cross, unmannered fellow!

  MIN.
  Who?

  LAND.
  His servant. He refuses to go for him.

  FRAN.
  Bring the rascal here, then. I know all the Major's servants. Which
  one of them was it?

  MIN.
  Bring him here directly. When he sees us he will go fast enough.
  (Exit Landlord.)

  SCENE V.
  Minna, Franziska

  MIN.
  I cannot bear this delay. But, Franziska, how cold you are still! Why
  will you not share my joy with me?

  FRAN.
  I would from my heart, if only!!!!!

  MIN.
  If only what?

  FRAN.
  We have found him again. But how have we found him? From all we hear,
  it must go badly with him. He must be unfortunate. That distresses me.

  MIN.
  Distresses you! Let me embrace you for that, my dear playmate! I shall
  never forget this of you. I am only in love, you are good.

  SCENE VI.
  Landlord, Just, Minna, Franziska

  LAND.
  With great difficulty I have brought him.

  FRAN.
  A strange face! I do not know him.

  MIN.
  Friend, do you live with Major von Tellheim?

  JUST.
  Yes.

  MIN.
  Where is your master?

  JUST.
  Not here.

  MIN.
  But you could find him?

  JUST.
  Yes.

  MIN.
  Will you fetch him quickly?

  JUST.
  No.

  MIN.
  You will be doing me a favour.

  JUST.
  Indeed!

  MIN.
  And your master a service.

  JUST.
  Perhaps not.

  MIN.
  Why do you suppose that?

  JUST.
  You are the strange lady who sent your compliments to him this
  morning, I think?

  MIN.
  Yes.

  JUST.
  Then I am right.

  MIN.
  Does your master know my name?

  JUST.
  No; but he likes over-civil ladies as little as over-uncivil
  landlords.

  LAND.
  That is meant for me, I suppose?

  JUST.
  Yes.

  LAND.
  Well, do not let the lady suffer for it then; but bring him here
  directly.

  MIN. (to Franziska).
  Franziska, give him something

  FRAN. (trying to put some money into Just's hand).
  We do not require your services for nothing.

  JUST.
  Nor I your money without services.

  FRAN.
  One in return for the other.

  JUST.
  I cannot. My master has ordered me to pack up. That I am now about,
  and I beg you not to hinder me further. When I have finished, I will
  take care to tell him that he may come here. He is close by, at the
  coffee-house; and if he finds nothing better to do there, I suppose he
  will come.
  (Going.)

  FRAN.
  Wait a moment! My lady is the Major's... sister.

  MIN.
  Yes, yes, his sister.

  JUST.
  I know better; the Major has not a sister. He has sent me twice in six
  months to his family in Courland. It is true there are different sorts
  of sisters!!!!!

  FRAN.
  Insolent!

  JUST.
  One must be so to get the people to let one alone.
  (Exit.)

  FRAN.
  That is a rascal.

  LAND.
  So I said. But let him go! I know now where his master is. I will
  fetch him instantly myself. I only beg your ladyship, most humbly,
  that you will make an excuse for me to the Major, that I have been so
  unfortunate as to offend a man of his merit against my will.

  MIN.
  Pray go quickly. I will set all that right again.
  (Exit the Landlord.)
  Franziska, run after him, and tell him not to mention my name!
  (Exit Franziska.)

  SCENE VII.
  Minna, and afterwards Franziska

  MIN.
  I have found him again!—Am I alone?—I will not be alone to no
  purpose.—
  (Clasping her hands.)
  Yet I am not alone!
  (Looking upwards.)
  One single grateful thought towards heaven, is the most perfect
  prayer! I have found him! I have found him!
  (With outstretched arms.)
  I am joyful and happy! What can please the Creator more than a joyful
  creature!
  (Franziska returns.)
  Have you returned, Franziska? You pity him! I do not pity him.
  Misfortune too is useful. Perhaps heaven deprived him of everything—
  to give him all again, through me!

  FRAN.
  He may be here at any moment.—You are still in your morning dress, my
  lady. Ought you not to dress yourself quickly?

  MIN.
  Not at all. He will now see me more frequently so, than dressed out.

  FRAN.
  Oh! you know, my lady, how you look best.

  MIN. (after a pause).
  Truly, girl, you have hit it again.

  FRAN.
  I think women who are beautiful, are most so when unadorned.

  MIN.
  Must we then be beautiful? Perhaps it was necessary that we should
  think ourselves so. Enough for me, if only I am beautiful in his eyes.
  Franziska, if all women feel as I now feel, we are—strange things.
  Tender hearted, yet proud; virtuous, yet vain; passionate, yet
  innocent. I dare say you do not understand me. I do not rightly
  understand myself. Joy turns my head.

  FRAN.
  Compose yourself, my lady, I hear footsteps.

  MIN.
  Compose myself! What! receive him composedly?

  SCENE VIII.
  Major von Tellheim, Landlord, Minna, and Franziska

  MAJ. T. (walks in, and the moment he sees Minna rushes towards her).
  Ah! my Minna!

  MIN. (springing towards him).
  Ah! my Tellheim!

  MAJ. T. (starts suddenly, and draws back).
  I beg your pardon, Fraulein von Barnhelm; but to meet you here!!!!!

  MIN.
  Cannot surely be so unexpected!
  (Approaching him, whilst he draws back still more.)
  Am I to pardon you because I am still your Minna? Heaven pardon you,
  that I am still Fraulein von Barnhelm!

  MAJ. T.
  Fraulein...
  (Looks fixedly at the Landlord, and shrugs his shoulders.)

  MIN. (sees the Landlord, and makes a sign to Franziska).
  Sir!!!!!

  MAJ. T.
  If we are not both mistaken!!!!!

  FRAN.
  Why, Landlord, whom have you brought us here? Come, quick! let us go
  and look for the right man.

  LAND.
  Is he not the right one? Surely!

  FRAN.
  Surely not! Come, quick! I have not yet wished your daughter good
  morning.

  LAND.
  Oh! you are very good
  (still does not stir).

  FRAN. (takes hold of him).
  Come, and we will make the bill of fare. Let us see what we shall
  have.

  LAND.
  You shall have first of all!!!!!

  FRAN.
  Stop, I say, stop! If my mistress knows now what she is to have for
  dinner, it will be all over with her appetite. Come, we must talk that
  over in private.
  (Drags him off.)

  SCENE IX.
  Minna, Major von Tellheim

  MIN.
  Well, are we still both mistaken?

  MAJ. T.
  Would to heaven it were so—But there is only one Minna, and you are
  that one.

  MIN.
  What ceremony! The world might hear what we have to say to one
  another.

  MAJ. T.
  You here? What do you want here, Madam?

  MIN.
  Nothing now
  (going to him with open arms).
  I have found all that I wanted.

  MAJ. T. (drawing back).
  You seek a prosperous man, and one worthy of your love; and you find—
  a wretched one.

  MIN.
  Then do you love me no longer? Do you love another?

  MAJ. T.
  Ah! he never loved you, who could love another afterwards.

  MIN.
  You draw but one dagger from my breast; for if I have lost your heart,
  what matters whether indifference or more powerful charms than mine
  have robbed me of it? You love me no longer; neither do you love
  another? Wretched man indeed, if you love nothing!

  MAJ. T.
  Right; the wretched must love nothing. He merits his misfortunes, if
  he cannot achieve this victory over himself—if he can allow the woman
  he loves to take part in his misfortune... Oh! how difficult is
  this victory!... Since reason and necessity have commanded me to
  forget Minna von Barnhelm, what pains have I taken! I was just
  beginning to hope that my trouble would not for ever be in vain—and
  you appear.

  MIN.
  Do I understand you right? Stop, sir; let us see what we mean before
  we make further mistakes. Will you answer me one question?

  MAJ. T.
  Any one.

  MIN.
  But will you answer me without shift or subterfuge? With nothing but a
  plain "Yes," or "No?"

  MAJ. T.
  I will—if I can.

  MIN.
  You can. Well, notwithstanding the pains which you have taken to
  forget me, do you love me still, Tellheim?

  MAJ. T.
  Madam, that question!!!!!

  MIN.
  You have promised to answer Yes, or No.

  MAJ. T.
  And added, If I can.

  MIN.
  You can. You must know what passes in your heart. Do you love me
  still, Tellheim? Yes, or No?

  MAJ. T.
  If my heart!!!!!

  MIN.
  Yes, or No?

  MAJ. T.
  Well, Yes!

  MIN.
  Yes?

  MAJ. T.
  Yes, yes! Yet!!!!!

  MIN.
  Patience! You love me still; that is enough for me. Into what a mood
  have we fallen! an unpleasant, melancholy, infectious mood! I assume
  my own again. Now, my dear unfortunate, you love me still, and have
  your Minna still, and are unhappy? Hear what a conceited, foolish
  thing your Minna was—is. She allowed—allows herself, to imagine that
  she makes your whole happiness. Declare all your misery at once. She
  would like to try how far she can outweigh it.—Well?

  MAJ. T.
  Madam, I am not accustomed to complain.

  MIN.
  Very well. I know nothing in a soldier, after boasting, that pleases
  me less than complaining. But there is a certain cold, careless way of
  speaking of bravery and misfortune!!!!!

  MAJ. T.
  Which at the bottom is still boasting and complaining.

  MIN.
  You disputant! You should not have called yourself unhappy at all
  then. You should have told the whole, or kept quiet. Reason and
  necessity commanded you to forget me? I am a great stickler for
  reason; I have a great respect for necessity. But let me hear how
  reasonable this reason, and how necessary this necessity may be.

  MAJ. T.
  Listen then, Madam. You call me Tellheim; the name is correct. But
  suppose I am not that Tellheim whom you knew at home; the prosperous
  man, full of just pretensions, with a thirst for glory; the master of
  all his faculties, both of body and mind; before whom the lists of
  honour and prosperity stood open; who, if he was not then worthy of
  your heart and your hand, dared to hope that he might daily become
  more nearly so. This Tellheim I am now, as little as I am my own
  father. They both have been. Now I am Tellheim the discharged, the
  suspected, the cripple, the beggar. To the former, Madam, you promised
  your hand; do you wish to keep your word?

  MIN.
  That sounds very tragic... Yet, Major Tellheim, until I find the
  former one again—I am quite foolish about the Tellheims—the latter
  will have to help me in my dilemma. Your hand, dear beggar!
  (Taking his hand).

  MAJ. T. (holding his hat before his face with the other hand, and
  turning away from her).
  This is too much!... What am I?... Let me go, Madam. Your
  kindness tortures me! Let me go.

  MIN.
  What is the matter? Where would you go?

  MAJ. T.
  From you!

  MIN.
  From me
  (drawing his hand to her heart)?
  Dreamer!

  MAJ. T.
  Despair will lay me dead at your feet.

  MIN.
  From me?

  MAJ. T.
  From you. Never, never to see you again. Or at least determined, fully
  determined, never to be guilty of a mean action; never to cause you to
  commit an imprudent one. Let me go, Minna!
  (Tears himself away, and Exit.)

  MIN. (calling after him).
  Let you go, Minna? Minna, let you go? Tellheim! Tellheim!