My characters are sufficiently distinguished by their social titles,
and by the striking contrast which they present one with another.
The First Act opens--
'No! Before I open the First Act, I must announce, injustice to myself,
that this Play is entirely the work of my own invention. I scorn
to borrow from actual events; and, what is more extraordinary still,
I have not stolen one of my ideas from the Modern French drama.
As the manager of an English theatre, you will naturally refuse to
believe this. It doesn't matter. Nothing matters--except the opening
of my first act.
'We are at Homburg, in the famous Salon d'Or, at the height of the season.
The Countess (exquisitely dressed) is seated at the green table.
Strangers of all nations are standing behind the players, venturing
their money or only looking on. My Lord is among the strangers.
He is struck by the Countess's personal appearance, in which beauties
and defects are fantastically mingled in the most attractive manner.
He watches the Countess's game, and places his money where he sees
her deposit her own little stake.
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