Friends ... my dears ... Father, I can't ... [_Throws herself into_ MANCINI'S _arms, and hides her face on his shoulders._ MANCINI _looks with a smile over her head at the_ BARON. BARON _smiles slightly, but remains earnest and motionless. A new burst of applause._]
Calm yourself, calm yourself, my child. How they all love you! [_Taking a step forward_] Ladies and gentlemen, Baron Regnard did me the honour yesterday, to ask for the hand of my daughter, the Countess Veronica, whom you knew under the name of Consuelo. Please take your glasses.
No, I am still Consuelo, to-night, and I shall always be Consuelo! Zinida, dear! [_Falls on the neck of_ ZINIDA. _Fresh applause._]
Stop it! Silence! Take your glasses. What are you standing here for? If you came, then take the glasses.
[_Trembling_]: They are frightened. You take yours first, Papa, and we will follow.
[_They take the glasses._ CONSUELO _is near the_ BARON, _holding the sleeve of his dress coat with her left hand. In her right hand, she has a glass of champagne, which spills over._]
Ah! It is nothing! I am frightened, too. Are you, Father?
[_With a step forward_]: Countess! As the director of the circus, who was happy enough ... to witness ... many times ... your successes....
I do not _like_ this, Papa Briquet! I am Consuelo. What do you want to do with me? I shall cry. I don't want this "Countess." Give me a kiss, Briquet!
[_Kisses her with tears. Laughter, applause. The clowns cluck like hens, bark, and express their emotions in many other ways. The motley crowd of clowns, which is ready for the pantomime, becomes more and more lively. The_ BARON _is motionless, there is a wide space around him; the people touch glasses with him in a hurry, and go off to one side. With_ CONSUELO _they clink willingly and cheerfully. She kisses the women._]
Silence! Consuelo, from to-day on, I extinguish my sun. Let the dark night come after you leave us. You were a nice comrade and worker, we all loved you and will love the traces of your little feet on the sand. Nothing remains to us!
You are so good, so good, Jim. So good that there is no one better. And your sun is better than all the other suns. I laughed so much at it. Alfred, dear, why don't you come? I was looking for you.