"His Excellency the prime minister, Count Taaffe." "I've been waiting five minutes." "Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I was detained." "Fine." "Proceed." "The wedding preparations are all in order:" "procession, carriages, accolades, police." "Next matter." "I must draw Your Majesty's attention to the intolerable student demonstrations." "Still?" "With greater frequency and violence by the day." "I'd point out in particular the campaign that Mr. Szeps continues to wage in his notorious liberal rag." "He knows exactly how far he can go and stops there." "I cannot touch him unless I bend the law slightly." "He'd be less brazen without his friends in high places." "Meaning what?" "You know I like things stated clearly." "It's just my impression, but I believe that Szeps is a rather too frequent visitor to the prince's apartments." " Albert." " Your Majesty?" "These croissants don't taste the same." "Did we change bakers?" "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but our baker is ill." "When he's ill, breakfast is inedible." "My illnesses entail less consequence." "Where were we?" "Szeps and his frequent visits." "We were, in fact, discussing the students." "What do you intend to do?" "Do I have permission to use force?" "It's strength that commands respect, my dear Taaffe." "Your passports, quickly." "Nationality?" " Czech." " Croat." "We recognize neither Czechs nor Croats, only faithful subjects of His Majesty." "Subjects, yes." "Faithful is another matter." " lf you believe what passports say " " Take them away!" "Send in the next ten to see the inspector." "Silence!" "Take off your hats!" " Your name and papers." " Here they are, sir." "I was just attending classes and knew nothing about it." "My father " "Fine, fine." "Let him go." "Next." "Szeps, managing editor of the new paper in Vienna?" "How did you get mixed up in this brawl?" "I was merely passing by." "You will kindly remain at the disposal of the police." "Have him sign the form." "Next." "Papers?" " l have none." "No papers." "Name?" "Rudolf." "This is no place for jokes." "Rudolf who?" " Of Hapsburg." " What?" "Rudolf of Habsburg?" "The archduke?" "But Your Excellency..." "The heir to the Austrian throne rounded up with this Szeps by the police." "You mix with scoundrels and side with the rabble." "You have friends who would bring down the monarchy, even destroy the empire." "You, the emperor's son." " Spare me the lecture, Father." "I'm learning to rule my people by listening to them." "Let others listen for you." "You have secretaries, ministers, police." "You should be devoting yourself to your soon-to-be bride rather than this Szeps." "Please don't expect me to play the lover." "This marriage was your idea." "To ensure the crown and your happiness." "The two are unfortunately irreconcilable." "I've seen that in my mother's eyes since I was a child." "Does she complain?" "No more than I." "I've agreed to marry Stephanie, but don't expect a show of joy." "Rudolf, is there a woman in your life?" "A woman?" "There are ten." "A hundred." "All the ones I want, and even those I don't." "But let us say no more. I will marry the princess and produce an heir." "The interests of the state will be served." "Ask no more of me than that." "A magnificent spectacle." "No one escapes his destiny, my son." "God grant that you learn that with time." "God grant that I never meet the great love of my life." "I'm soaked to the skin." "The more it rains out here, the more they live it up inside." "What a rotten job!" "At least we have the honor of being attached to His Highness in person." "Look, a new arrival." "That's Count Hoyos getting out." " They're drinking companions." "Like you and me." "Who's the other one?" "Colonel of the 4th Hussars, Baron Cravet." "Hold on." "I'll write that down." "Start a new page." "It's after midnight." "You're right." "It's May 10th now." "Hey, isn't that funny?" " What?" " May 10th." " What about it?" "He was married five years ago." "You're right." "Exactly five years ago." "Well, if I dared go out on our anniversary," "Mimi would give me hell." " We'll be here till dawn." " Or until they're done." "Let us drink" "So tomorrow we'II be brave" "Let us sing" "And our fatherland we'II save" "Let us march" "On to victory's brink" "But first fall in love It makes you bolder than you think" "And so my friends, Iet's drink" "Tired, Your Highness?" "Bored, Josef." "Bored to death." "Won't you drink with us, Your Highness?" "This is your wedding anniversary." "Thank you, Josef!" "Gentlemen, it seems that today is my wedding anniversary." "You ask for a toast?" "Here it is:" "to the health of the happy couple." "Well?" "Won't you drink to my happiness?" "To Their Highnesses' health." "Marinka, won't you sing in honor of the occasion?" "Your Highness has only to ask." "Philipp." "is Szeps here?" " Not yet, Your Highness." "He is, as always, with Hoyos, Prince Philipp, and the rest." " And Marinka?" " Marinka too, of course." "My agents report to me every 15 minutes." " Still no Szeps?" " No." "Are you sure he'll go to Sacher's?" "Absolutely." "He still needs the documents for his article tomorrow." " Our agents never leave his side." " So he hasn't seen the archduke yet." "If I could just prove they're working together." "I must have those papers at any cost!" "Rest assured, Your Excellency." "They may be crafty, but I know my job." "Why do I love you?" "Is it your beautiful eyes, your hair" "The tender sound of your voice" "Oh, why?" "Yes, why?" "For dinner?" "For your money?" "Your cruel ways?" "The prestige of your name?" "No, not at all" "Why do I Iove you?" "Ask not the reason for my love" "As long as I know" "And I Iike you, that's enough" "Why do I Iove you?" "There's no reason I should say" "But in my arms your cares will fade away" "You're dreaming, my dear - of me, I trust." "You'll forsake me soon, like all the rest." "Who can know these things?" "Trust to destiny as I trust you." " She's jealous, Your Highness." " Gypsy blood." "She denies it, but she's madly in love with Your Highness." "Madly in love..." " Well?" " He isn't here yet." "I must know the moment he arrives, or you'll pay." " Will you wait here?" " However long it takes." "I want to arrest Szeps myself." " l understand." "Congratulations, Marinka." "You sing even more sweetly for the police." "You play the paramour, but you're really a parasite." "Bill yourself as ""the gypsy policewoman,"" "with your new orchestra leader here." " Who sent you?" " Your Highness " "What ""highness"!" "You treat me like your prey, like a thief, a common criminal." "Who sent you?" "Tell me!" "Tell me, or I'll wring it out of you!" "Your Majesty, please " "Afraid of the prime minister, are you?" "Taaffe sent you, didn't he?" "Your Majesty..." "Too cowardly even to confess." "You disgust me." "Here, Marinka. I'd hate you to lose the money you sold me for." "After last night, my patience is at an end." " Forget all that." " No, I've had enough." "Sometimes I just want to disappear." "I'm constantly watched." "Without even looking, I can tell you that two detectives are following us now." "They're finally sitting down." "We can rest a bit." "What's the fun in walking when he has all those carriages?" "These places are the only diversion left for me." "What about women?" "They disgust and bore me." "They pursue me out of vanity or self-interest." "It's too easy." "Their own husbands push them into my bed." "Let's do an experiment." "What if I went after your daughter?" " My daughter?" " Why not?" "She's pretty and young." "Far too young." "Besides, she's not your type." "She has glasses and thick ankles." "Don't worry." "I was only kidding." "Szeps, look at that girl." "She's gorgeous." "Wait for me here." "All alone, poor darling?" "Don't be frightened, my pet." "I'm really very nice." "How dare you pester this young lady." "I thought she was alone " " She's with me. ls that enough?" " Yes, certainly." "I just thought - Excuse me." "Please forgive me." "How could you?" "You don't even know me." "You told a lie." "Isn't a little lie better than a grave impertinence?" " Yes, he was awful." " See?" " Thank you." " No, you mustn't." "You are very young to be wandering alone in this crowd." "I wasn't alone, but I lost my mother, sister and cousin in the crowd so " " So we'll look for them." " You and me?" "If you like." "It's odd, but I have the feeling I know you." "Against the wishes of my father, the king, I have come to you, prince of my heart." "Oh, my angel!" "Oh, my treasure!" "I'll don my silver armor." "To do what, my lion?" "To tell the king of our love." " God save you." " God save our love." "Oh, Lord!" "Who is this terrible man?" "I am the devil, and I have come for you." "Why?" "To roast and toast you, broil and boil you." "Mr. Devil, please do not take me." "Such happiness was to be mine." " All the better!" "Happy souls are all the nicer to torment!" "Have mercy, Mr. Devil!" "No, no pity!" "How sad." "She loved and she was punished for it." " lt doesn't seem fair to me." " No, not very." "Who is it that you remind me of?" "Look, they're so pretty." " That one looks like you." " l only wish." "I'll try to ring it." "Give me some rings." "Three rings for 20 sous." " You'll never do it." " Just wait." "You missed." "Missed again." "He did it!" "Amazing." "Sir, you won this taffy." "Thank you." "What luck." "Wait." "We'll divide it equally." "Here - for you." " Thank you. I love it." "My mother!" "She mustn't see me with a stranger." " Don't go." "She didn't see you." " No, I mustn't stay." "Good-bye." "I realized, once you weren't looking at me, that it's Archduke Rudolf that you remind me of." " Does that bother you?" " Not at all." "Good-bye." "Since when is Your Majesty fond of taffy?" "Taffy?" "It must have been another late night, Your Highness." "It's not my fault, Loschek." "I must have some relief from the boredom of my days." "I understand, Your Highness." "Life is no carnival." "Your voice sounds very strange." "Bad news?" "Mr. Szeps was here earlier, before dawn." "Why didn't you show him in?" "I didn't want to wake you, and he was very rushed." "They closed down his paper." "There's a warrant out for his arrest." " Szeps arrested?" "No, he managed to escape." "He's safe." "He said to assure Your Highness there's no need to worry." "How dare they?" "This time they've gone too far." "Come in." "What is it?" "His Excellency the prime minister, Count Taaffe." " His Highness is not ready " " Show him in." "You hear me?" "Show Count Taaffe in." "His Highness is in the bathroom." "My respects, Your Highness." "To what do I owe this honor?" "I've come this early only because I wished to inform you personally of the measures ordered by His Majesty to deal with Szeps and his paper." "I know." "Your Highness is well-informed." "That's unfortunate for me, since I'd hoped to demonstrate my sincerity and devotion." "Never use words beyond your comprehension." "Your Highness is unfair." "I came in hopes of reaching an understanding." "Our common goal is the national interest." "Do you spy on me in the national interest?" "I simply wish to ensure that Your Highness is protected." "Against what or whom?" "I need protection only against you." "Listen carefully:" "I insist that the measures taken against Szeps be rescinded immediately." "That is beyond my power." "Only His Majesty " "This is not His Majesty's doing, but yours." "Let me explain " " Will you rescind those orders?" " l cannot." "Loschek, my jacket." "Yes or no?" "You know that that's impossible." "We'll see about that." "The prince seems on edge." "Lack of sleep, no doubt." "His Highness gets plenty of sleep." "Loschek, you know him better than I." "Do you think I should wait for him?" "I think not, Your Excellency." "Tell His Majesty I must speak to him at once." " The archduke seems upset today." " He's high-strung, like his mother." "How can someone so high-strung be a dreamer too?" "Well?" "I'm in a hurry." "His Majesty is too busy at present, Your Highness." "What's that?" "It will be 48 hours before he can grant an audience." "No audience for 48 hours?" "I can't see my own father?" "No audience for 48 hours... for me, his son." "Your Highness, please." "Loschek, this can't go on." "These people are killing me." "But what does it really matter, with my life what it is?" "I can't go where l choose, see whom I will." "Locked up in a uniform at the age of eight." "My friend is arrested." "I ask my father for help, and he replies through his aide-de-camp." "Etiquette, intrigue, deceit!" "Enough!" "Your Highness, my poor prince, don't torment yourself so." "There's no one in the world I can turn to, someone without ambition or treachery who'd look beyond my position and accept me for myself, a simple human being." "That's what I need." "Tell me:" "Am I not a man like any other?" "Don't I too have the right to a little happiness?" "I must be mad." "You can do nothing for me, my poor old friend." "No one can, not even myself." "Now what?" "His Majesty requests your presence at a gala at the Opera tonight." "The entire court will attend." "His Majesty insists upon your presence in the royal box." "A gala?" "The entire court?" "They found the answer, Loschek." "A gala at the Opera!" "Princess Stephanie is with the emperor, as usual." "While the archduke " "Who's that smile for, Edwige?" "The archduke's cousin, Countess Larisch." "They call her ""the Rattlesnake." She's lethal." "Edwige shouldn't smile." "Her teeth are as false as her pearls." "What a crowd!" "Look, someone new in the third box to the left." "In white?" "That's Baroness Vetsera's daughter." "The whole family's there." "The young lieutenant is her brother." "I must take the child under my wing." "If she's not spoken for, I'll see to her future." "You can sit down now, Maria." "Georges, the officer sitting beside the emperor " "That's Archduke Rudolf, of course." "Hello, everyone." "No, don't get up." "I just popped in for a second before the curtain." " The countess is so kind." " A charming dress, as always." "Hello, Georges, Hanna." "And your little cousin." "And Maria, a real lady!" "I know that a secluded life is a happy one, but this child is much too adorable for you to hide away." "She must come to my next reception." "Wouldn't you like that, Maria?" " Well, Maria?" " What are you dreaming of?" "The curtain's going up." "I must fly." " Have you kept me in mind, Countess?" " You?" "Why should I?" "Oh yes, of course." "I never forget a thing." "Good-bye for now." " Did you enjoy it?" " Yes, very much." "She's wonderful." "What's her name?" " Who?" " The ballerina." "Ah, the - l don't know." "Georges, come with me to pay your respects to Princess Emilie." "Wait for me here." "Look!" "It's the Schratt woman with the emperor." " Where?" " ln the middle of the box." "Who's she?" "You've heard of La Pompadour?" "The emperor's like Louis XV." "Did you see the archduke bow to Madame Bischoff?" "I hear he's left her for a Frenchwoman, Madame de Langeais." "It seems he's keeping both." " They say he has a gypsy too." " Every man I know has a gypsy." "If the Turkish solution didn't involve the Balkan question, and St. Petersburg " "The girl in white in the sixth box - striking, isn't she?" "Probably a debutante." "I've never met her." "I believe she's Baroness Vetsera's youngest daughter." "I've heard a thing or two about her" " Maria Vetsera." "Vetsera, you say?" "I'd be glad to know Your Highness's opinion." "Certainly." "Your Majesty." "I saw your performance two days ago." "You were more adorable than ever." "Good evening, Count." "Having a good time?" "Good evening, my dear cousin." "Your Excellency." "Busy with affairs of state?" "No, that requires a vast knowledge of men, and in Vienna you alone can lay claim to that." "Except that like you, I enjoy solitude, Your Highness." "There you are, cousin." "You're as rarely seen these days as a smile on your father's face." "I haven't seen you for ages, and I suspect you aren't even listening to me now." "I was going to do you a favor." "That's right." "An opportunity to demonstrate your generosity." "Ask what you will, cousin, but " "Oh, never mind." "I know what those ""buts" mean." "I'd intended to mention the Vetsera boy, but I'll be going." " Did you say Vetsera?" " l did indeed." "He dreams of serving in your regiment." "Wasn't a Vetsera our ambassador in Constantinople?" "Indeed." "Your Highness has a remarkable memory." "This Vetsera has a son?" "And a daughter too." "You are incorrigible." "So when may he introduce himself?" "My darlings, what a crowd!" "I thought I'd never get back before the curtain." "Then she got up on her toes, Nanny, and whirled around and around, faster and faster." "But he didn't even see her." "He was looking at our box the whole time." "Nanny, listen!" " l am listening, my love." "It was so lovely." "The lights, the music, the jewels - all for him." " For whom?" "Didn't you understand a word I said?" "For the prince." "The one I met at the Prater, where he ringed the swan." "You know, I think he recognized me." "The theater got you much too excited." "Go to sleep now." "Sleep?" "I'll never be able to sleep again." "He's so handsome, Nanny, with such sad eyes and such a gentle smile." "Just thinking of him will take up every hour of the day." "Please listen to me." "Don't be afraid." "Don't move." "is it really you?" "This is wrong, I know, but I had to speak to you, and it was the only way." "Please, Your Highness." "Maria... I tried to resist, but I couldn't." "You've haunted me night and day." "Your Highness... I see you so rarely, but even that fills me with joy, such emotion, but also such anguish." "Just one moment." "I must see you again." "Don't say no." "Don't make me suffer." "But how?" "I'm never alone." " l must see you." " Really, Your Highness?" "For you I have no title." "Promise me." " But it's impossible." " Everything's possible if you really want it." "Here's Nanny." "Good-bye." " Where have you been?" " Here, waiting for you." "Nanny, do you think a prince can be unhappy?" "Just like anyone else, Maria." "Maria, you realize you've been playing the same piece for two days now?" "It's so pretty, Mother." " Is the baroness in?" " Yes, Countess." "Hello, my dear friend." "Hello, my child." "No, do go on. I love that song." "How can we ever thank you?" "My son is ecstatic, and it's such an honor for the family." " Don't mention it." " Please have a seat." "No, I like to keep moving." "It's good for the nerves and the figure." "May I?" "Speaking of which, have you seen how much weight Marquise Perutti has put on?" "It's as natural as breathing to her." "You'd think she never ate at home." "These are delicious." "At the gala she looked like a fat old ewe on her hind legs." "But no one noticed." "They only had eyes for your daughter." "Maria was a tremendous success." "Everyone asked me about her." "She was the sensation of the evening." "You'll make her vain." "Maria isn't vain... are you?" "Play louder and listen carefully." "Princess Koralyi - there's a vain woman, though she looks like a monkey who scrambled down her family tree." "My cousin wants to see you." "Don't tremble." "She went on and on about her ancestors." "Keep calm, for heaven's sake." "Don't stop playing." "When she sighed the other night, she killed a butterfly." "Rudolf spoke of you for an hour." "You've quite bewitched him." "Play louder!" "Oh, you're invited to old Princess Ursula's next Saturday." "How kind!" "We'd be honored." "Not so loud, Maria." "It's not a military march." "Your compliments must have turned her head." "Few women would be unmoved." "Do you like my dress?" "I've discovered a little dressmaker." "The craftsmanship of Berlin and the elegance of Paris." "6:00 already!" "I have a fitting." "You wouldn't refuse me a little favor, will you?" "Promise me." " Anything you wish, Countess." "I want to borrow Maria for an hour." "Two heads are better than one at fittings." "Besides, I get so bored alone." "You wouldn't mind?" " Not at all." "Get ready quickly, Maria." "Yes, Countess." "Such a lovely child, your Maria." "Good-bye." "See you soon." "Have no fear, my dear." "Bratfisch, the cabman, is devoted to Rudolf, and no one at the palace will see you." "It's as discreet as can be." "Look at me, child." "You're not wearing any powder - or not enough, anyway." "That's better." "Your eyes are perfect." "Just lower them now and then to dazzle him all the more later." "Hair back a little." "Very nice." "Forgive me, but at your age one only knows one's faults and not one's charms." "Thank you." "What a face!" "Aren't you happy?" "Oh, I really am." "I just can't believe I'm going, that he really wants to see me." "I'm not in for anyone." "I want to be undisturbed for an hour." " Someone new, Your Highness?" " You guessed it, Loschek." "An actress?" "A married woman?" " A young maiden." " A real one?" "So they say. ln these times, I wouldn't fret for her virtue." "I saw her once, I spun the usual yarn, and she'll be here in a few minutes." " That's Bratfisch's cab." " Delivering the prince's prey." "Who was that with Countess Larisch?" " No idea." "She's new." " We'll need her name." "I'll be back for you in an hour." "kindly follow me, miss." "This way, miss." "My little Maria, at last." "Oh dear, am I so late?" "But right up to the last moment, I thought you might not come." "That you'd be afraid." " Of what?" "I don't know." "This palace... this gloomy room... me." "You?" "On the contrary." "When I'm with you, I'm not afraid of anything." "How awful!" "You keep that around all the time?" "Why?" "To make life bearable." "Bearable?" "But life is so wonderful." "You're right." "I'm talking nonsense." "Won't you take off your hat?" "Yes, but how can I?" "There's no mirror." "There's one in the next room." "That's where you sleep?" "I imagined a prince's bed - lt suffices." "I sleep so little." "The mirror is to the left." "My hair's a mess." "You're not going to like me." "I like you too much." "I'm so happy." "What is it?" "What's the matter?" "Come along." "Don't stay in here." "Ever since I met you, nothing makes sense." "You come here and speak to me like no one ever has before." "Don't you have some request?" "What do you mean?" "People usually want something:" "position, advancement, honors, money." "What about you?" "Think about it." "is there really nothing you want?" " Don't I have all I want now?" "All right, Loschek." "Don't be afraid." "It's just a signal." "We must part." "Promise you'll come back." "You don't know what you mean to me, how good you are for me." "You make me feel years younger - and what years I've lived!" "Go now." "Quickly." " So they last met on Friday?" " Yes, between 6.:00 and 7.:00 p.m." " At the palace?" " As usual, Your Excellency." "This is serious - far too serious - and just as His Majesty thought." "With a girl of good family, it could mean scandal." "His Majesty made it clear this affair must be terminated... discreetly." "Leave it to me, Your Excellency." " But how?" "I have some experience in these matters." "To Baroness Vetsera, SaIezianer Gasse 1 4." """Dear Baroness..." "A weII-meaning friend... concerned for the honor of your family... feels that it his duty to warn you... that your esteemed daughter Maria... has, for several weeks now..."" "Good evening, my love." "Did I scare you?" "Admit it:" "You didn't hear me coming." " How fresh you look." " My hair's soaking wet." "I had to find some excuse for not going out with Mother tonight." "She thought not going to the theater would be a punishment, so we have two whole hours together." "We've never had such wealth before." "What's wrong?" " Look over there." "It's just branches moving." "You see spies everywhere." "They lost you tonight." " They're just better hidden, that's all." "Forget them. I love you." "They'll never leave me alone." "You don't know them." "They want to separate us." " But can they, my darling?" " What faith you have, what strength." "I love you." "And we have two hours." "Two hours!" "These fleeting rendezvous, this constant separation." "For once I'm proud of my love." "Why should I hide it?" "Two hours... when I long to spend my whole life with you." " Mother!" " Where have you been?" "I just wanted - l demand to know where you've been." "For shame!" "Now I see why you pretended not to be ready this evening." "I see now that what this awful letter says is true." "Don't lie to me!" "I have no intention of lying." "You mean this dreadful thing is true?" "You have a lover?" "Who is it?" "Mother dear, don't talk like that." "You're mistaken." "I swear we've done nothing wrong." "He loves and respects me." " What is his name?" "I can't tell you." "I am your mother." "I absolutely must know." "I beg of you." " No, I won't tell you." "Careful, Maria." "I can force you." "Threats are of no use." "Very well." "You'll leave tomorrow for your uncle's in Trieste for six weeks." "That should cure you of your folly." "Mother!" "Do with me what you will, but please let me stay in Vienna!" "It's you?" "What's wrong?" "is Maria ill?" "Say something!" "Let me catch my breath." "She's gone." "An anonymous letter." "The girl was brave and wouldn't talk." "Her mother was furious and packed her off to her uncle's near Trieste." " Trieste?" " That's right." "Don't look so glum." "After all, what's a month?" "A month?" "A month without her?" "You don't realize what this means." "My life will be like before." "Alone once again, up against all those people." "They know their business, all right." "He entered Sacher's at 1 2.:10 a.m." "and staggered out around 3.:00 a.m." "He arrived at the AIcazar at 3.:15." "exactly the same routine as every day for the past six weeks." "It's despair over the little lady's departure, so I hear." " ls he alone?" " What does Your Excellency mean?" "No women with him?" "Oh yes, a different one every night." "Sometimes several." "He wouldn't even notice if it were the same one every night." "His Highness hasn't been sober in six weeks." "Leave me alone!" "Faster, for God's sake!" "Here, I'll cool you off!" " He hasn't been like this in a long time." " He's out of practice." " There's not enough rum!" " Another bottle!" "Put out the lights!" "Here, drink!" "Let's drink our fill and savor love's thrill" "Tomorrow in battle we'II be victorious" "Some hearts will break but triumph we'II taste" "The enemy is hateful Women are glorious" "Let us drink" "So tomorrow we'II be brave" "Let us sing" "And our fatherland we'II save" "Let us march" "On to victory's brink" "But first fall in love It makes you bolder than you think" "And so my friends, Iet's drink" " Whose face is that?" " Where?" "There." "It's you, sweetheart." "Out of my sight!" "You hear me?" "Out of my sight!" "Still there, are you?" "Just wait a minute." "Take that." "And that!" "Your Highness." "What do you want?" "A lady downstairs is asking for Your Highness." " Pretty?" " Very, Your Highness." "Excellent." "I'll go get her and bring her back by force, if necessary." "You here?" "I got back today and just had to see you." "I sneaked out and managed to find Bratfisch." "Kiss me." " You're mad." "No one must see you." " Rudolf." " Let me go. I stink of wine." "You're bleeding." "Are you hurt?" " Where?" " There." "It's lipstick from Irma, a whore." "Yes, I kissed a whore!" "I'm still free, aren't I?" "Of course, darling." "What are you doing here?" "Can't you leave me alone when I'm having fun?" "Are you spying on me too?" "is Taaffe paying you?" "What do you want from me?" "Just to see you." "Well, have a good look." "A pretty sight, aren't I?" "Happy now?" "Never seen a man drunk before?" "I just want to be left alone." "I'll drink all I please and sleep with every woman in Vienna." "You can't stop me!" "Don't look at me like that." "Why don't you say something?" "I don't deserve a reply, is that it?" "I disgust you too much?" "Say something, for God's sake!" "Speak or I won't be responsible for what I do!" "My poor darling, how you're suffering." "Maria, I'm so ashamed." "Why, my darling?" "I love you so much." "How can you still?" "Forgive me." "You don't know how I suffer." "I know." "No, you can't know." "Maria, my dear child." "Save me." "I'm afraid I'll go mad." "I'm afraid without you." "What will I do tonight after you leave?" "I'm not going to leave you." "Am I not yours, my love?" " Good evening, Mr. Bratfisch." " Good evening." "Tell me..." "He's here." "Ah, thanks. lf anyone wants me, I'll be over there." "Very well, Mr. Bratfisch." "Life is starting, Maria." "Soon we'll no longer need to hide." "I'll be free and we'll be together always." "Always?" "But   l've written to Rome." " What about your father?" "He doesn't know yet, but he'll have to accept the annulment." "You did that for me?" "Listen, Rudolf... whatever happens, I'll never be unhappy again." "What's that?" "A wedding ring?" "It's so beautiful." "There's a date on it." " November 13th." "That night at Sacher's." "There are letters:" """R-D-L-A-J-L-M"" """United in love unto death."" "How lovely." "Thank you." "You must put it on my finger yourself." " Why?" "Because then I can make a wish." "What did you wish for?" "To die before you." " You know who's here?" " Who?" "The archduke." "Right over there." " The archduke, here?" " l swear - and with a woman!" " Did you recognize her?" " l couldn't quite see." " Can't you guess?" " Who else but the Vetsera girl?" " What's that?" " Oh, you're here?" "I forbid you to trifle with my sister's name." "Who are you to forbid me anything, boy?" " l'll show you." " l doubt that." "My brother!" "Calm down, Vetsera." "This is a public establishment." "Apologize." " You're unworthy of being an officer." " You're no judge." " How brave, insulting a girl!" " And you're a brave talker!" "Take her home, then come back for me." " What's going on?" " Officers coming to blows." "It's a disgrace!" "You may change your tune when my seconds call!" " Brave men don't brag!" " l'll slay you like a dog!" "Lieutenant Vetsera, I think you've had too much to drink." "Come here." " Your Highness." "I don't need anyone to defend my name, and I will tolerate no interference from my officers in a matter that concerns only myself." "You are confined to barracks for ten days." "Report to your colonel." "You are dismissed." "And you, Captain Schonberg, will report to regiment headquarters tomorrow." "I'm afraid my regiment is too coarse for a man of your sensitivity." "Well, gentlemen?" "Don't let a pair of idiots stop the party." "Give me a glass." "He's so handsome when he's angry." "To the regiment." "To Your Highness!" "Aren't you going to dance?" "Maestro, give us a nice waltz!" "May I have the pleasure of this waltz?" " Your Highness!" "I will never forget this." "I'll speak of this all my life, Your Highness." "Rudolf, you must save Georges." "I know him." "He won't relent." "He'll want the truth." "He'll insist on a duel." "He'll be wounded, perhaps even killed." "Calm down, Maria." "I'll speak to him, I promise." "Yes?" "Your Highness is awaited in the audience room." "Duty calls. I'll be just 15 minutes." "Wait for me here." "I'd suggest you keep your coat on, miss." "If you caught cold in this drafty palace, His Highness would never forgive me." "You're very kind, Loschek." "Kind?" "Me?" "You don't know much." "Loschek, where are you?" "I looked everywhere." "Forgive me." "I had to conduct His Highness to an audience." " Will he be long?" " l fear so, Your Majesty." "Tell him I came to inquire about his health." "He will be touched." "In fact, I'll just leave a note on his desk." "Sorry to disturb you, miss." "You should have told me." "Leave us." "I came to see how my son is doing." "is he well?" "He seemed a bit tired, madam..." "Your Majesty." "Poor Rudolf." "He's not suited to this life." "You and I have never met, but I know he loves you." "Please sit down." "You're even lovelier than I'd heard, and so young." "How old are you?" " Seventeen, madam." "Seventeen?" "At 1 7 I was already unhappy." "But I was young... and I didn't suffer too terribly." "One really should die young." "I'm sorry." "Living in solitude sets one to musing out loud." "This palace is an unhappy place." "Do not return." "Let me kiss you, my child." "You are very dear to my heart." "Your Highness!" "I must talk to you, Vetsera." "I mean to prevent this duel." " lmpossible, sir." "He slandered my sister, and such lies " "Vetsera, suppose Schonberg was telling the truth?" "What?" "You?" "I don't understand, Your Highness." "It can't be." "Sit down, Georges." "And now, as an older comrade, I beg you to try to listen calmly." "Will you promise me that?" " Yes, Your Highness." "No one in the world loves Maria more than I do." "No, not even you." "Before she came along " "You couldn't understand all I'd have to say." "She set me free with her gaiety, her youth, her love." "Was I to refuse all that?" "Think about it." "Nothing in this world is really mine, not even myself." "Like everyone, you think I have everything I could desire." "Or perhaps you think that being the emperor's son means I have no right to the woman I love." "Be fair:" "What was I to do?" "Georges, Maria is my love, and soon all will know." "As soon as I'm free, I'll marry her." "She knows that." "If you want my oath - l believe you, sire." "You've lost your head." "You flaunt yourself in public, let our name be bandied about by drunken officers, all for a little thing " " Who will soon be my wife." " l know." "You even asked the pope to annul your marriage." "Here's the Holy Father's reply." " You spy on my personal matters too?" " This concerns me as well." "If you've forgotten, the Holy Father hasn't." "What's the answer?" "Negative, naturally." "You're having an affair " " Am I the only one?" "No, and when you're emperor, you may do as you please." "Meanwhile, you will end this." " lmpossible." " lf l order you?" " l won't obey." " You'd dare?" " l'll abdicate." "I care nothing for power, and I won't sacrifice Maria to it." "You have no right to speak this way." "You have obligations." "The people of two nations have placed their hope in you." "Consider your honor." "I love her." "If you really love her, you'll give her up." "What are you going to do?" "There are convents from which women never leave." " You would dare?" " This liaison must end!" "I beg you, Father." "It's my life you're asking of me." " A passing fancy." "It's life or death to us." "Leave her or she goes to a convent." "There's no other solution." "Yes, there is." "What do you mean?" " lt wouldn't interest you." " Will you obey?" "If I may see her once more." "You will, at the ball tonight." "I want to see her alone." "Very well." "I'll give you 24 hours, and that will be the end of it." "Do I have your word?" "Yes." "Mother, do I look too awful tonight?" "For the tenth time, no!" "You're just silly." "Don't listen to her." "She was the same way at her first ball two years ago." " Any news of the lovebirds?" " What lovebirds?" "Oh, I have absolutely no idea." " The Vetsera girl at a court ball!" " The archduke has gone too far!" "They can meet in private, after all." " Do you think she's so attractive?" " Everyone has their charm at 1 7." "Here comes the court." " Where's the empress?" " She doesn't come to galas anymore." "What is it, Maria?" "The archduke's a bit glum tonight." "We're not amused, having just been forced to give up the girl." "Will Your Highness open the ball?" "It has to be me?" "If such be Your Highness's pleasure." "My pleasure?" "Very well." " lt's going to start." " Look!" "He's coming this way." "Will you do me the honor of opening the ball with me?" "Your Majesty." " Keep calm." "Don't forget that you're the archduchess of Austria." "Good evening, Your Highness..." "my love." "How is it that you look so beautiful tonight?" "I'm wonderfully happy, that's all." "Wait here." "May I have the honor of this waltz, Your Highness?" "How did I ever live before I met you?" "I knew nothing, felt nothing." "I didn't exist." "Thank you, Rudolf." " Don't, please." " What's wrong?" "Listen, Maria." "Suppose l were suddenly forced to go away?" "I'd wait for you." "No, very far away, for a very long time." "I'd follow you." "Suppose that were impossible?" "Why?" "I'd follow you anywhere." "Even... to the land of no return?" "With you, yes." "How he looks at her!" "It's indecent, dancing so close!" " Such impertinence!" " Unheard of in our day!" "Those three witches are talking about us." "It isn't pleasant growing old." "Allow me to introduce you to my father." "I want him to see you tonight." "He's presenting her to the emperor!" "May I present" "Baroness Maria Vetsera, whose fate Your Majesty has sealed." "Your youth and beauty promise fulfillment of all your hopes, young lady." "Your Majesty is too gracious." "You have the stronger hand." "They'll never meet again." "Bratfisch will be waiting in the usual spot." "He knows where to take you." "Yes, Your Highness." "Maria, my dear, what an honor!" "You may be proud of yourself." "The emperor spoke to you." "What did he say?" "I don't know." "What do you mean?" "You don't realize how lucky you are." " Hoyos." " Your Highness." "Have Bratfisch come to the cloakroom, then come back here. I need you." "I request Your Majesty's permission to retire." " There's going to be a scandal." " A scandal?" "Well, I had nothing to do with it!" "Curtsy nicely." "What's gotten into you?" "Luckily she overlooked it." "I need an excuse to leave Vienna for 24 hours." "Arrange a hunting party, but I want only you and Philipp." "Your Majesty can count on me." "Till tomorrow." "At Mayerling?" "At Mayerling." "Going off in the middle of the night." "I should never have helped you." "Don't worry, Nanny, and don't scold, especially tonight." "You don't know it, but it's the most wonderful day of my life." "Believe me." "Here we are." "Good evening, Bratfisch." "Evening, miss." "Good-bye, Nanny." "Wait." "I have something else to ask of you." "Give this letter to Mother... but not until the day after tomorrow." "You're frightening me, my child." "You won't do anything bad, will you?" "Bad?" "Oh no, quite the opposite." "You swear?" "Everything I do will be right and proper." "I swear." "Good-bye, Nanny." "Maria!" "Here I come." "Be sure you find a good hiding spot." " You call that a good hiding spot?" " You started before I was ready." " l didn't know." " You always cheat. lt's not fair." "I'd have found you anyway." "I know every corner of Mayerling." "Mayerling... lt sounds like a name in a fairy tale." "Cold, darling?" "I want to ask you a favor." "What is it?" "You decide when it's time for us... for us to go." "You know, it's simple." "It takes only a moment." " l don't need reassurance." "All I want is not to know when." "Promise?" "You'll know nothing." "Set your mind at ease." "Leave it to me." "You must do something at once." "My daughter disappeared last night, and we've heard nothing since." "If you wish, I'll have the police make thorough inquiries." "We already went to the police." "They've been no help." "I come to you, Your Excellency, because I've learned things I was unaware of yesterday." "I think His Highness the archduke may know where she is." "I'm certain he knows!" "You must know where the archduke is." "I wish I could help, but I fear I have no precise information." "The prince is so impulsive." "Nevertheless, I believe he went hunting near Laxenburg." "Oh, thank you!" "Please excuse us." "There's no time to lose." "JANUARY 30, 1889" "You don't miss your gypsies?" "No, Bratfisch plays better than the whole bunch." "Who was it, Loschek?" "A courier from Vienna, Your Highness." "His Majesty reminds you that you are to return tomorrow morning without fail." " Tomorrow morning?" " l vouched for your return." "You did well." "No, stay, Loschek." "You too, Bratfisch." "Come have a glass." "Rudolf, I really like you tonight - and it's the first time." "That's a great consolation." "To your health, my friends." "To Your Highness's health!" "Wait." "That won't do." "I have a real toast to propose." "Here it is:" "To the best and most devoted of lovers, joy, happiness and long life." "What are you doing?" "Nothing, darling." "All done." "I feel so good... but my eyelids are heavy." "I wish I could stay awake." "Give me a kiss, Rudolf, to last me the whole night." "May your sleep be light and gentle." "Not yet, please." "I'm afraid of the dark." "I love the light so." "I wish I were already waking up to see the sun." "You will see it." "Rudolf... you remember that first time at the Prater?" "Remember what the devil said?" """Happy souls are all the nicer to torment."" "Until tomorrow, my love." "Until tomorrow." "What is it, Loschek?" "Forgive me, Your Highness... but I thought I heard a shot." "That's odd." "I didn't hear anything." "It was probably out in the forest." "What time is it?" "About half past 7:00, Your Highness." "All right." "I'll be down in half an hour." "Very good, Your Highness, and please forgive me."