Georg closes the gate and turns to go back into the house. He looks up and sees Elsa standing in the doorway. As he comes closer to her he has an uneasy feeling she knows why he was out there.
"Georg, what on earth are you doing out here. The guests are leaving and it's rude not to say goodbye"
"I don't give a damn about the guests Elsa. Maria is gone. This makes no sense. She was fine after the children's song. I can't imagine what happened to cause her to leave"
"Gone? How do you know she is gone? Elsa said trying to sound surprised.
"She left this" Georg handed the note to Elsa. She reads the note and gives it back to him.
"It sounds like she was homesick for the abbey Georg. I'm sure she will be just fine. She will take her vows and become a nun. She obviously wasn't used to life outside the abbey. Now let's go in and say goodbye" she says as she tries to take his arm.
Instead of reciprocating Georg stands to face her. "I don't believe for one second Maria was homesick. Something happened after she went to change. In fact Elsa right after she went upstairs you disappeared also. Where did you go?
Elsa has to think fast. Georg was in no mood to be toyed with. "I went to powder my nose darling, don't you remember"
Georg remembers their conversation from earlier. He also remembers that Elsa said she had talked to Maria. He has to find out if there was any more to their conversation than what Elsa had told him earlier.
"Elsa I suggest we go inside. As soon as all the guests have left I want to talk to you. Please meet me in my study in 15 minutes" Georg abruptly turns and heads inside leaving Elsa just outside the door. She knows that he was aware that she had talked to Maria and she was sure he wants to know if there was more to their conversation than she had told him. Heading back inside she goes to the sitting room to think. She has 15 minutes to come up with a good story, one that he would believe.
After saying goodbye to the last remaining guests Georg goes upstairs to check on the children. After checking on the boys he checks on the girls. He opens the door slowly and wasn't surprised when he finds Brigitta reading a book.
"That book must be really good in order for you still to be awake" he whispers. Going into the room he gently covers Gretl and Marta and then goes over to Birgitta.
"I'm sorry Father; I couldn't sleep after all the excitement of the party"
Sitting down next to her he gently kisses the top of her head. "I'm glad you had a good time. I am so proud of all of you. Your performance was amazing"
"I'm so glad you liked it. Fraulein Maria worked so hard teaching us all the words and the movements. Father she really is wonderful. We all love her very much"
"I can tell you do" he said. He says nothing about her being gone as he decides that would wait until the morning.
"Birgitta has Fraulein Maria talked about the abbey? More specifically has she talked about missing her life at the abbey?
"No father. She talks about what it was like there. How it is very strict and that some of the sisters, especially one, seem to think that she doesn't belong. She told us how the Reverend Mother sent her here to see if she really belonged in the convent. She is happy here and we are happy she is our governess"
"I'm glad to hear that Brigitta. I am glad you all love her"
"Father, does the Baroness like her?
"That's a strange question. Why do you ask?
"Well, earlier I was going to Fraulein Marias room to ask her something and I saw the Baroness go into her room. The door was partially open and I heard the Baroness talking to her. Fraulein Maria sounded upset. I decided to leave before the Baroness came out. I don't think the Baroness likes her"
He knew it. My God what did she do? Was Elsa the reason Maria left? He was going to find out before the night was over.
"Well knowing your governess I'm sure she can take of herself" Georg smiles at his daughter. Maria was right. She notices everything. "It's time you got some sleep"
Brigitta put her book down. "I guess you're right. Good night father"
Georg kisses her goodnight and heads down to his study.
Georg opens the door and immediately smells the smoke from Elsa's cigarette. The only time she smokes is when she's nervous. He watches as she paces back and forth across the floor.
"Elsa", she jumps when she hears Georg call her name. "Please don't smoke in my study" He goes into the drawer of his desk and hands her an ashtray. She puts out the cigarette and sits down.
Georg goes over to where Elsa is seated. She motions for him to sit down beside her but instead he stands directly in front of her "I am going to ask you a question and I want the truth. Earlier when you went upstairs to powder your nose, as you put it, did you go to Marias room?
Elsa is worried. "How could he know I went to her room? No one saw me, I made sure of that" she thinks to herself. She looks up at Georg and is immediately taken aback at what she sees. Arms crossed with those blue eyes glaring at her.
"I'm waiting Elsa, and you know I am not a patient man" Georg bends down and gets within inches of Elsa's face and shouts "I want an answer now!
Elsa flinches and turns her head. She realizes he knows but how.
"Georg, please don't shout at me. You know how it upsets me"
"Are you going to tell me what really happened? Stop pretending you do not know why Maria left. You said something that upset her immensely. Damn it Elsa what did you say?
Now he is yelling. Elsa tries to seem shocked at his accusations but Georg sees right through her charade.
"I bet your wondering how I found out. One of my children went to Marias room. They stopped when they saw go in. They could not make out what you were saying to her but could tell by Marias voice that she was upset. It wasn't long after this that Maria left"
Georg had to restrain himself from grabbing her and shaking the truth out of her. He instead walked over to his desk and slammed his fist down hard.
Elsa couldn't take it anymore. The words came out of her mouth before she could stop them.
"All right, all right, I'll tell you what I said" Elsa walks over to where Georg is standing. "But first I want to ask you something? Are you in love with her?
Georg turns and looks at her. "Oh no Elsa you are not going to turn this around on me.
"Really Georg, isn't this why you are so upset. Why is it you were never upset when any of your other governesses left? I have seen the way you look at her, and she at you. Tonight when you were dancing with her, I truly believe, if the children had not been there you would have kissed her. And though she denied it, she is in love with you. But you will forget her soon enough, men do you know"
"Elsa, did you tell Maria she was in love with me and me with her? How could you be so cruel? She must have been so scared and confused, no wonder she left. How dare you speak to her about such things. You had no right"
"No right! No Georg I was not about to let some servant come between you and me, besides your infatuation with her would not have lasted. Be honest I actually did her a favor. Now she will take her vows and we can announce our engagement. In fact people were expecting us to announce it tonight. That's why they thought we had the party"
"Elsa you might as well forget about an engagement announcement now or in the future. You and I, it's no use. What you did tonight was reprehensible. You caused Maria to leave. My children have had enough loss in their young lives. First their mother died, and then I pushed them away because they reminded me of her. When Maria came into their lives, our lives, she brought joy, music, and most of all love. My children had someone who was like a mother to them. And now she is gone and I don't know how I am going to tell them"
"You're not serious Georg. All of Austria expects us to get married. In fact even Herr Zeller thinks we are a perfect match"
"Zeller is a dangerous man Elsa. What makes you think I care what he thinks? He is a Nazi and I will never capitulate to him or anyone in his party. I can't believe you trust him. He wants to destroy our country and you are willing to stand by and allow it. Yet another reason why you and I are not getting engaged"
"Georg you are a fool, if you defy them than you will have signed your own death sentence and that of your children. You have your wish Georg I will pack my things tonight and return to Vienna where I belong.
With that Elsa walked out of his study and his life. He calls Franz into his study and instructs him that once the Baroness was packed he was to drive her to Vienna. Franz leaves and Georg closes the door to his study.
He sits down at his desk, exhausted from the events of the evening. He knows he should get some sleep but he keeps thinking about her. Is she all right? Did she make it to the abbey? Even though it is late he decides to call the abbey to make sure she made it there safely.
"Hello"
"Reverend Mother, this is Captain Von Trapp, I apologize for calling so late but Maria left here tonight without telling me she was going. She left a note saying she was going back to the abbey and I want to make sure she made it there safely"
"Yes Captain, Maria arrived here about an hour ago. She is in her room safe and sound as we speak"
"Has she spoken to you about why she left?
"No Captain, she was exhausted and visibly shaken. I am not sure what happened but as soon as she is ready I will speak to her. Do you know why she left?
"In her note she said she missed the abbey but I have reason to believe there are other reasons. Please when you talk to her tell her that she will be missed and we, I mean the children need her to come back"
"I will Captain. Please give her some time and I will give her your message"
Reverend Mother hung up the phone. Something happened to cause Maria to come back to the abbey she thought to herself. I will give her a couple of days and then I will send for her.
Georg walks up the stairs to his room. He checks on his children. How is he going to tell them Maria is gone? Sighing he heads to her room. He looks around and her scent still lingers. He lays down on the bed and lets sleep claim him.