SENDEN.

Colonel, our president, who had previously agreed to run for our town,
found that it would be more advantageous to be candidate from a
provincial district; apart from him no one of our townsmen is so well
known and so popular with the citizens as yourself. If you accede to
our request our party is certain of victory; if you refuse, there is
every probability that our opponents will have their own way. You will
agree with us that such an eventuality must be avoided under all
circumstances.

COLONEL.

I see all that; but, on personal grounds, it is impossible for me to
help our friends in this matter.

SENDEN (_to the others_).

Let me explain to the Colonel certain things which will possibly make
him look favorably on our request.

[_Exeunt_ BLUMENBERG _and the other gentlemen into the garden, where
they are visible from time to time._]

COLONEL.

But, Senden, how could you put me in this embarrassing position! You
know that for years Oldendorf has frequented my house and that it will
be extremely unpleasant for me openly to oppose him.