you at a very early hour, Major von
Tellheim, but I am going into the country, where a kind, but also
unfortunate friend, has for the present offered me an asylum.

MAJ. T. (to Just).
Leave us.

SCENE VI.
Lady, Major von Tellheim

MAJ. T.
Speak freely, Madam! You must not be ashamed of your bad fortune
before me. Can I serve you in any way?

LADY.
Major!!!!!

MAJ. T.
I pity you, Madam! How can I serve you? You know your husband was my
friend; my friend, I say, and I have always been sparing of this
title.

LADY.
Who knows better than I do how worthy you were of his friendship how
worthy he was of yours? You would have been in his last thoughts, your
name would have been the last sound on his dying lips, had not natural
affection, stronger than friendship, demanded this sad prerogative for
his unfortunate son, and his unhappy wife.

MAJ. T.
Cease, Madam! I could willingly weep with you; but I have no tears
to-day. Spare me! You come to me at a time when I might easily be
misled to murmur against Providence. Oh! honest Marloff! Quick, Madam,
what have you to request? If it is in my power to assist you, if it is
in my power!!!!!

LADY.
I cannot depart without fulfilling his last wishes. He recollected,
shortly before his death, that he was dying a debtor to you, and he
conjured me to discharge his debt with the first ready money I should
have. I have sold his carriage, and come to redeem his note.

MAJ. T.
What, Madam! Is that your object in coming?

LADY.
It is. Permit me to count out the money to you.

MAJ. T.
No, Madam. Marloff a debtor to me! that can hardly be. Let us look,
however.
(Takes out a pocketbook, and searches.)
I find nothing of the kind.

LADY.
You have doubtless mislaid his note; besides, it is nothing to the
purpose. Permit me!!!!!

MAJ. T.
No, Madam; I am careful not to mislay such documents. If I have not
got it, it is a proof that I never had it, or that it has been
honoured and already returned by me.

LADY.
Major!

MAJ. T.
Without doubt, Madam; Marloff does not owe me anything--nor can I
remember that he ever did owe me anything. This is so, Madam. He has
much rather left me in his debt. I have never been able to do anything
to repay a man who shared with me good and ill luck, honour and
danger, for six years. I shall not forget that he has left a son.