ADELAIDE.

To which Mr. von Senden would not refuse his aid—­

SENDEN.

As a matter of duty I should do my part.  Colonel, if you would be one of the shareholders, your example would at once make the purchase a sure thing.

COLONEL.

Sir, what you do to further your political ideas is your own affair.  Professor Oldendorf, however, has been a welcome guest in my house.  Never will I work against him behind his back.  You would have spared me this moment had you not previously deceived me by your assurances as to the sentiments of the majority.  However, I bear you no malice.  You acted from the best of motives, I am sure.  I beg the company to excuse me if I withdraw for today.  I hope to see you tomorrow again, dear Senden.

SENDEN.

Meanwhile I will start the fund for the purchase of the newspaper.  I bid you good day. [Exit.]

COLONEL.

Pardon me, Adelaide, if I leave you alone.  I have some letters to write, and [with a forced laugh] my newspapers to read.

ADELAIDE (sympathetically).

May I not stay with you now, of all times?

COLONEL (with an effort).

I shall be better off alone, now.

[Exit through centre door.]

ADELAIDE (alone).

My poor Colonel!  Injured vanity is hard at work in his faithful soul.  And Ida. [Gently opens the door on the left, remains standing.] She is writing.  It is not difficult to guess to whom. [Closes the door.] And for all of this mischief that evil spirit Journalism is to blame.  Everybody complains of it, and every one tries to use it for his own ends.  My Colonel scorned newspaper men until he became one himself, and Senden misses no opportunity of railing at my good friends of the pen, merely because he wishes to put himself in their place.  I see Piepenbrink and myself becoming journalists, too, and combining to edit a little sheet under the title of Naughty Bolz.  So the Union is in danger of being secretly sold.  It might be quite a good thing for Conrad:  he would then have to think of something else besides the newspaper.  Ah! the rogue would start a new one at once!

Enter OLDENDORF and CARL.

OLDENDORF (while still outside of the room).

And the Colonel will receive no one?

CARL.

No one, Professor. [Exit.]

ADELAIDE (going up to OLDENDORF).

Dear Professor, this is not just the right moment for you to come.  We are very much hurt and out of sorts with the world, but most of all with you.

OLDENDORF.

I am afraid you are, but I must speak to him.

Enter IDA through the door on the left.

IDA (going toward him).

Edward!  I knew you would come!

OLDENDORF.