hands in self-defence, quite excited by so many complications. "How do you think of such things?"
The authoress smiled passionately. "Yes, it is that which is most interesting. Afterwards one doesn't know how it happens. It is worked out so mysteriously in one's mind! Sometimes I think I must have inherited the gift."
"Have you so many authors in your respected family?"
"Not exactly. But if my great ancestor had not won the battle of Kröchenwerda, who knows if I should have written The Secret Countess'? After all, it is always a question of birth."
Diederich bowed awkwardly when he heard the name of the battle and did not dare to continue the subject.
"Now the curtain ought to fall any moment," said Frau von Wulckow. "Do you hear anything?"
He could hear nothing.—The authoress alone was oblivious of the door and the walls. "Now the lieutenant is vowing eternal fidelity to the distant Countess," she whispered. "Now"—and all the blood rushed to her face. Immediately it flowed back with a rush. People were applauding, not violently but still it was applause. The door was opened from inside. In the background the curtain had risen again, and when young Sprezius and the Wulckows' niece came for ward, the applause was more animated. Suddenly Jadassohn hastened out from the wings, planted himself in front of the pair and looked as if he would take their success for himself. At this the audience hissed. Frau von Wulckow turned away indignantly. To Mayor Scheffelweis's mother-in-law and to Frau Harnisch, who were congratulating her, she declared: "Herr Jadassohn is impossible as Public Prosecutor. I shall tell my husband so."
The phrase was at once repeated by the ladies and made, a great hit. The gallery of mirrors was suddenly filled with groups adversely criticising Jadassohn's ears. "The play is Srell written, but Jadassohn's ears. …" But when it became
