LOTH follows him._
HOFFMANN
Well, you see, that's the way women are.
LOTH
I can't say that I understand what it was about.
HOFFMANN
It isn't worth mentioning. Things like that happen in the most refined
families. It mustn't keep you from spending a few days with us....
LOTH
I should like to have made your wife's acquaintance. Why doesn't she
appear at all?
HOFFMANN
[_Cutting off the end of a fresh cigar._] Well, in her condition, you
understand ... women won't abandon their vanity. Come, let's go and take
a few turns in the garden.--Edward, serve coffee in the arbour!
EDWARD
Very well, sir.
[_HOFFMANN and LOTH disappear by way of the conservatory. EDWARD
leaves by way of the middle door and MIELE, immediately thereafter,
goes out, carrying a tray of dishes, by the same door. For a few
seconds the room is empty. Then enters_
HELEN
[_Wrought up, with tear-stained eyes, holding her handkerchief against
her mouth. From the middle door, by which she has entered, she takes a
few hasty steps to the left and listens at the door of HOFFMANN'S room._]
Oh, don't go! [_Hearing nothing there, she hastens over to the door of
the conservatory, where she also listens for a few moments with tense
expression.
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