Rosmer. The President?
Brendel. Oh, well--His Excellency, then. Ganz nach Belieben.
Rosmer. But whom do you mean?
Brendel. Peter Mortensgaard, of course.
Rosmer. What!
Brendel (mysteriously). Hush, hush, hush! Peter Mortensgaard is
Lord and Chieftain of the Future. I have never stood in a more
august presence. Peter Mortensgaard has the power of omnipotence
in him. He can do whatever he wants.
Rosmer. Oh, come--don't you believe that!
Brendel. It is true, my boy--because Peter Mortensgaard never
wants to do more than he can. Peter Mortensgaard is capable of
living his life without ideals. And that, believe me, is
precisely the great secret of success in life. It sums up all the
wisdom of the world. Basta!
Rosmer (in a low voice). Now I see that you are going away from
here poorer than you came.
Brendel. Bien! Then take an example from your old tutor. Erase
from your mind everything that he imprinted there. Do not build
your castle upon the shifting sand. And look well ahead, and be
sure of your ground, before you build upon the charming creature
who is sweetening your life here.
Rebecca. Do you mean me?
Brendel. Yes, most attractive mermaid!
Rebecca. Why am I not fit to build upon?
Brendel (taking a step nearer to her). I understood that my
former pupil had a cause which it was his life's work to lead to
victory.
Rebecca.
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