Part 18 (1/2)

FRAN.

You shall not lose it.

LAND.

I have no fear on that account: I merely put you in mind. Do you see, I do not wish to have it again at all. I can guess pretty well how she knew the ring, and why it was so like her own. It is best in her hands. I do not want it any more; and I can put them down--the hundred pistoles which I advanced for it, to the lady's bill. Will not that do, my pretty maid?

SCENE IV.

Paul Werner, Landlord, Franziska

WER.

There he is!

FRAN.

A hundred pistoles? I thought it was only eighty.

LAND.

True, only ninety, only ninety. I will do so, my pretty maid, I will do so.

FRAN.

All that will come right, Mr. Landlord.

WER. (coming from behind, and tapping Franziska on the shoulder).

Little woman--Little woman.

FRAN. (frightened).

Oh! dear!

WER.

Don't be alarmed! I see you are pretty, and a stranger, too. And strangers who are pretty must be warned. Little woman! little woman! I advise you to beware of that fellow!

(Pointing to the Landlord).

LAND.

Ah! What an unexpected pleasure! Herr Werner! Welcome, welcome! Yes, you are just the same jovial, joking, honest Werner! So you are to beware of me, my pretty maid. Ha! ha! ha!

WER.

Keep out of his way everywhere!

LAND.

My way? Am I such a dangerous man? Ha! ha! ha! Hear him, my pretty maid! A good joke, isn't it?

WER.

People like him always call it a joke, if one tells them the truth.

LAND.

The truth. Ha! ha! ha! Better and better, my pretty maid, isn't it? He knows how to joke! I dangerous? I? Twenty years ago there might have been something in it. Yes, yes, my pretty maid, then I was a dangerous man: many a one knew it; but now!!!!!

WER.

Oh! the old fool!