Part 35 (1/2)

BRIQUET

Don't, Mother, don't.

ZINIDA

Count, you drew in advance, I have it written down, eighty francs and twenty centimes. Will you pay this money, too?

MANCINI

Certainly, certainly. You will get three thousand and one hundred.

[_Laughing_] Twenty centimes! I never thought I could be so accurate.

[_Seriously_] Yes, my friends. My daughter Consuelo--the Countess--and the Baron, expressed their desire to bid farewell to the whole cast.

HE

The Baron, too?

MANCINI

Yes, Auguste, too. They want to do it during the intermission.

Therefore, I ask you to gather here ... the more decent ones ... but please don't make it too crowded! HE, will you, sir, be kind enough to run into the buffet and tell them to bring right away a basket of champagne, bottles and gla.s.ses--you understand?

HE

Yes, Count.

MANCINI

Wait a minute, what's the hurry--what is this, a new costume? You are all burning like the devils in h.e.l.l!

HE

You do me too much honour, Count, I am not a devil. I am merely a poor sinner who the devils are frying a little. [_He goes out, bowing like a clown._]

MANCINI

A gifted chap, but too cunning.

BRIQUET

It's the Tango colour, in honour of your daughter, Count. He needs it for a new stunt, which he doesn't want to tell in advance. Don't you want to sit down, Count?

MANCINI

Auguste is waiting for me, but ... it's all right. [_Takes a seat._]

Nevertheless I am sorry to leave you, my friend. High society, certainly, prerogatives of the t.i.tle, castles of exalted n.o.blemen, but where could I find such freedom, and ... such simplicity.... And besides, these announcements, these burning posters, which take your breath in the morning, they had something which summoned, which encouraged.... _There_, my friends, I shall become old.

BRIQUET