You had better not do that just now, Professor.  An opportunity will come in due time.  At present the ladies are dressing.  I myself will say what is necessary.

OLDENDORF.

Farewell, Colonel, and think of me without hard feelings.

COLONEL.

I will try my best, Professor.

[Exit OLDENDORF.]

He has not given in!  What depths of ambition there are in these scholars!

Enter IDA, ADELAIDE.

IDA.

Was not that Edward’s voice?

COLONEL.

Yes, my child.

ADELAIDE.

And he has gone away again!  Has anything happened?

COLONEL.

Well, yes, girls.  To make a long story short, Oldendorf does not become member for this town, but I.

ADELAIDE} (together.) You, Colonel?  IDA } You, father?

IDA.

Has Edward withdrawn?

ADELAIDE.

Is the election over?

COLONEL.

Neither one nor the other.  Oldendorf has proved his much-vaunted devotion to us by not withdrawing, and election day is not yet past.  But from what I hear there is no doubt that Oldendorf will be defeated.

IDA.

And you, father, have come out before everybody as his opponent?

ADELAIDE.

And what did Oldendorf say to that, Colonel?

COLONEL.

Don’t excite me, girls!  Oldendorf was stubborn, otherwise he behaved well, and as far as that is concerned all is in order.  The grounds which determined me to make the sacrifice are very weighty.  I will explain them to you more fully another time.  The matter is decided; I have accepted; let that suffice for the present.

IDA.

But, dear father—­

COLONEL.

Leave me in peace, Ida, I have other things to think of.  This evening I am to speak in public; that is, so to say, the custom at such elections.  Don’t worry, my child, we’ll get the better of the professor and his clique.

[Exit COLONEL toward the garden.  IDA and ADELAIDE stand facing each other and wring their hands.]

IDA.

What do you say to that?

ADELAIDE.

You are his daughter—­what do you say?

IDA.

Not possible!—­Father!  Scarcely had he finished explaining to us thoroughly what petty mantles ambition assumes in such elections—­

ADELAIDE.

Yes, he described them right vividly, all the little wraps and cloaks of vanity.

IDA.

And within an hour he lets them throw the cloak about himself.  Why, it is terrible!  And if father is not elected?  It was wrong of Edward not to give in to father’s weakness.  Is that your love for me, Professor?  He, too, never thought of me!

ADELAIDE.