MIMI. It is late. I must go. Good-night.

[Exit left.]

GERALD. Good-night. [Stands staring.] Well, I'll be switched! If that
wasn't a queer old customer! [Looks at ring.] It feels like real gold!
[Peers after MIMI.] What in the world did he mean, anyhow? The magic
ring! I hope he doesn't get lost in those woods to-night. [Turns to
fire.] Confound that fire! It's out for good now! Let it go. [Sits,
and takes music score.] Nibelungs! They are realer than anybody
guesses. People who spend their lives in digging for gold, and know
and care about nothing else. How many of them I've met at mother's
dinner parties! Well, I must get to my work now. [Makes a few notes;
then looks up and stretches.] Ah, me! I don't know what makes me so
lazy this evening. This strange heaviness! There seems to be a spell
on me. [Gazes about.] How beautiful these woods are at sunset! If I
were a Nibelung, I'd come here for certain! [Settles himself,
reclining; shadows begin to fall; music from orchestra.] I'm good for
nothing but dreaming . . . I wish Estelle were here to sing to me! How
magical the twilight is! Estelle! Estelle!

[He lies motionless; music dies away, and there is a long silence. The
forest is dark, with gleams of moonlight. Suddenly there is a faint
note of music . . . the Nibelung theme. After a silence it is
repeated; then again. Several instruments take it up. It swells
louder. Vague forms are seen flitting here and there. Shadows move.]

GERALD. [Starting up suddenly.] What's that? [Silence; then the note
is heard again, very faint. He starts. It is heard again, and he
springs to his feet.] What's that? [Again and again. He runs to his