Minna Von Barnhelm

Автор

Готхольд Эфраим Лессинг

Год написания книги

2019

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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.)