Part 10 (2/2)

MIN.

Not particularly.

LAND.

Of course your ladys.h.i.+p 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 ladys.h.i.+p! 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 ladys.h.i.+p; 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.

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