Act III
SCENE.—Like Act I. The afternoon of the next day, about three o’clock. When the curtain rises, the DEVIL is seated in a big chair. Bell rings off stage R. HEINRICH enters R.
DEVIL, rising from chair
What do you want?
HEINRICH
There is a lady, sir.
DEVIL
What kind of a lady?
HEINRICH
A real lady, sir.
DEVIL
What does she want?
HEINRICH
She wants to see my master. I told her he was not up yet, but she said she would wait.
DEVIL
Do you know who the lady is? Have you seen her before?
HEINRICH
Never.
DEVIL
Ask her to step in here.
[HEINRICH goes off, shows ELSA in.
[DEVIL bows.
Ah!
ELSA
You seem to be everywhere. What are you doing here? Are you his secretary?
DEVIL
No, merely a good friend. Nothing else. I just happened in. By the way, how do you do?
ELSA
How do you do?
[Crosses to couch, sits.
I didn’t know there was anybody in this room or I would not have come in. But as it is only you I don’t mind.
[ELSA sits down, intentionally turning her back to the DEVIL.
DEVIL
Karl is expecting you, then?
ELSA
Oh, no.
DEVIL
Will you permit me to prepare him for this pleasant surprise?
ELSA
No, thank you. Don’t disturb him. I can look around while I’m waiting. I have never been here before.
DEVIL
I know it.
ELSA
Who told you?
DEVIL
The man—a lady might come every day and escape notice—but coming for the first time she would be sure to attract his attention.
ELSA
I feel embarrassed coming here alone.
DEVIL
I know that, too.
ELSA
From the same source?
DEVIL
Yes; he said you were a real lady.
ELSA
He is the only one here who has spoken to me like a gentleman.
DEVIL
He must have thought you were a model.
ELSA, rises; angrily
How dare you?
DEVIL
A servant can only speak like a gentleman to—his equals.
ELSA, sits down again; sarcastically
Then I was mistaken—it is not Heinrich who is the servant.
DEVIL
Who knows—perhaps he is a clergyman.
ELSA
I don’t understand you.
DEVIL
Only two people in the world may open the door of a bachelor’s apartment to a young lady—the man servant, or a clergyman with a marriage certificate —you can take your choice.
ELSA
Let me tell you I was once left alone with a gentleman who tried to kiss me, and I slapped his face.
DEVIL
Indeed? I was once left alone with a lady who tried to slap me and I kissed her face.
[Enter HEINRICH.
ELSA, controlling herself with difficulty
Oh!
DEVIL
Heinrich! There’s a little leather satchel in the pocket of my overcoat.
[HEINRICH goes out.
ELSA
Don’t be afraid. This is not my day for crying.
DEVIL
It’s when a girl laughs that I’m most afraid.
[HEINRICH brings the satchel, puts it on the table L. C. and goes into studio.
Why did you come here?
ELSA
I intend to sit for my portrait—to do that, I must come every day.
DEVIL
You intend to come here every day, and to do that you must have your portrait painted.
ELSA
You are clever at twisting words.
DEVIL
Perhaps you know there is another lady coming every day to have her portrait painted?
ELSA
Yes, I know. That’s why I want mine painted—we’ll see which will be the better likeness.
DEVIL
Come now—you must let me sit down—this time I want you to be right.
[Raises her and swings her in front of him.
[DEVIL sits on couch, ELSA leans on table.
Are you aware—
ELSA
This is awful—you question me like a judge.
DEVIL
It is you who answer like a prisoner. Do you know that Karl is in love with Olga?
ELSA, bitterly
Do I know it!
DEVIL
And you still mean to fight?
ELSA
Yes, I mean to fight—you gave me good advice.
DEVIL
That was yesterday.
ELSA
Well—this is to-day.
DEVIL, impressively
Yesterday was your winning day. Yesterday it was written that you, Elsa, would succeed in whatever thing you made up your mind to do, with the whole strength of your will.
ELSA
Last night I made up my mind to—
DEVIL, interrupting gravely
—to dance every dance—
[Pause
You danced every dance.
ELSA, defiantly
Karl asked me to marry him last night.
DEVIL
—and you refused.
ELSA
Yes—but to-day I shall—
DEVIL
To-day is not your winning day—yesterday you chose—to-day you will have no choice.
ELSA
I won’t give him up—I can’t—I don’t know how.
DEVIL
You will have to learn—let me see—I think I know some one who has learned the lesson and can teach it to you—
[Goes to hall door which he opens.
Why, Mimi! Why do you wait out there? Come in here where it’s warm!
[MIMI comes in—DEVIL seats MIMI C. He regards them both with a satanic smile—begins to hum a tune and exits L., singing as he gets out; he laughs—his laugh dies away outside.
MIMI, sitting on small chair C. After a silence
Are you waiting for the painter, too, Madame?
ELSA, seated on couch
Yes.
MIMI
Yes—
[Pause.
He must have been on a spree last night.
[Smiling.
When he goes on a spree he always sleeps late.
ELSA, somewhat embarrassed
Yes?
MIMI, making conversation
Yes. If you haven’t slept for a long time, then—you must sleep a long time.
ELSA
Yes?
MIMI
Yes. Madame—
[Silence.
Is Madame going to have her portrait painted?
ELSA
Yes.
MIMI
Yes, Madame—I know all the ladies that come here—
[Quick look from ELSA.
I’m quite at home here—I’m his model
[Explaining.
I don’t pay for my portraits.
[Regarding ELSA.
You have a splendid profile, Madame.
ELSA
You always say “Madame”—I am not married. My name is—
MIMI, interrupting
I know your name. I’ve heard it often. You belong to a very rich family. I know what that means, I used to be well off, too. I wasn’t always obliged to work for a living.
ELSA
No?
MIMI
I was a chorus girl, but I had bad luck.
ELSA
I am so sorry for you.
MIMI
[Silence.
I know all about you and Herr Karl.
[Rises, goes C.
ELSA
From whom?
MIMI
I know everything that goes on in this house. I told you I was his model—I sew on buttons and count the laundry.
[Importantly.
ELSA
Does the laundry-woman steal?
MIMI
No. But she uses strong blueing—I know everything Herr Karl thinks of.
[Pointing at ELSA.
ELSA, as if she was getting interested
And does that interest you?
MIMI
Yes, indeed it does. But that’s all over now
ELSA
Why so?
MIMI
Because he is going to get married
ELSA
But he will paint just the same—he will want models.
MIMI
Yes, but—
[Ingeniously.
you know, when one has sewn on buttons—and counted the laundry—then to be—just a plain model—that hurts.
[Goes up C.; ELSA crosses.
ELSA
And you like Herr Karl?
MIMI, repressing her feelings
Yes—I—I like him—he’s such a dear boy.
ELSA
Does he paint you now?
MIMI, coming to head of couch; sadly
No. He only paints landscapes and—bank presidents.
ELSA
Then you did not come to pose to-day?
MIMI
A model always comes to pose. It’s tiring work, too, I can tell you—and if the artist wants to make love —it isn’t her fault—and—
[Sighs.
Oh, it’s such a rest.
ELSA
Oh, please.
[Draws herself up stiffly, offended.
MIMI
Now I’ve offended you—I ought to have known better—my people are all refined—I wasn’t born a model.
ELSA
I’m sorry I showed it—but—I—I’m nervous to-day.
MIMI, brightening
Oh, I know what it is—I used to suffer dreadfully from nervousness when I was in the chorus.
ELSA
Come over here, Mimi; I want to talk to you.
MIMI, goes over and sits on the couch
You can talk to me about everything, I’m not a bad sort, really I’m not. I’ve known all along about Herr Karl and—and you—he’s such a kind man. I was crying when I went away yesterday, and he felt sorry for me and he came to see me on his way to the ball—in his evening clothes—but I didn’t receive him. If it’s over, it may as well be over.
ELSA
Was he fond of you?
MIMI
I loved him, but what’s the use? It’s like the railway —the station is there and the train comes and then the train goes away, and the station cannot run after it; if the station is small, the train only stops a minute, and—
[Sighs.
one must wait until another train comes
ELSA
You loved him and can speak like that?
MIMI
Yes, I loved him, but it’s all over now. I was foolish to come here again when I’d made up my mind I wouldn’t, but now I’m sensible again; I’ll go away and try to forget him, I hope he will be—hap-hap—happy!
[Begins to cry, looks for handkerchief in muff, but can’t find it. ELSA takes handkerchief out of “weeping satchel,” and gives it to her.
ELSA
Poor Mimi! Poor Mimi!
MIMI, wiping her eyes with handkerchief, then returning it to ELSA.
I—hope—you will be—hap—happy—too!
ELSA
I—happy?
MIMI
You are going to marry Karl—
ELSA
No—no—I’m not.
MIMI
But it’s you he’s in love with—
ELSA
No, Mimi; I’m not the one—it’s some one else.
MIMI
You don’t mean Mrs. Zanden—it can’t be—why, she’s your friend.
ELSA
She was.
MIMI
I don’t believe it—it’s not love—it’s a madness—a—
ELSA, jumping at the idea
An infatuation?
MIMI
Yes, that’s it—he’s not in love with her—he’s not himself.
ELSA
You think so?
MIMI
Yesterday he acted as if he were under some strange—
[Rises.
[MIMI looks nervously behind her on both sides, ELSA follows her example.
under some strange—
ELSA
Influence?
MIMI
Yes.
[The two girls look at each other in silence—-for what seems like a minute.
ELSA
Mimi, who is that man?
MIMI, looks behind her again nervously
I don’t know—I hate him.
ELSA, after looking behind her
So do I.
[They grasp each other’s hands across the table.
[A pause.
MIMI, holding ELSA’S hand
I’m glad I came, I feel better already for having seen you. I’m going to be sensible now. I’m going away—and I’m never coming back!
[In altered voice.
What time is it?
ELSA
It’s almost three o’clock.
MIMI
Three o’clock! Then I must hurry. I have an appointment at half past—he’s an illustrator—such a talented boy; he’s just had a picture accepted by the Fleigende Blatter.
ELSA
And you are posing for him?
MIMI
Oh, yes; but tonight he goes to the artists’ dinner, and I have to find his dress studs, and iron a tie for him, and trim his cuffs.
[Makes gesture of cutting with scissors outside the edge of her cuff.
Good-bye.
[Goes out quickly.
ELSA
[Looks after MIMI, then around the room, suddenly begins to sob, and calls in frightened voice:
Mimi! Mimi!
[Runs off.
[DEVIL enters just as ELSA leaves.
[DEVIL rings bell on table.
HEINRICH, entering
Did you ring, sir?
DEVIL
Where is my tea? Have you any rum in the house?
HEINRICH
Yes, sir.
DEVIL
I’ll have some with my tea. Is your master getting up?
HEINRICH
Yes, sir.
DEVIL
Has anyone called to see him this morning?
HEINRICH
Mrs. Zanden’s maid has been here three times.
DEVIL
What did she want?
HEINRICH
She inquired whether Mrs. Zanden could see my master. I told her I had strict orders not to call him before three.
DEVIL
Hurry with the tea.
[Door bell rings.
I’ll have it in here.
[DEVIL goes into studio.
[HEINRICH goes out to hall, door slams, OLGA speaking outside.
OLGA
Is your master at home?
HEINRICH
Yes, Madame.
OLGA, entering
My maid told me I could not see him until three—it is three o’clock now.
HEINRICH
I am very sorry, Madame, but you will have to wait a few minutes longer. I will tell him that you are here.
OLGA
Thank you.
[HEINRICH crosses to studio door.
Wait! Has anyone called to see your master this morning?
HEINRICH
No, Madame.
OLGA
Didn’t anyone leave a letter for him?
HEINRICH
No, Madame.
OLGA, aside
Thank God! Please tell him I’m here.
HEINRICH
I’m afraid, Madame, you will have to wait a moment; but I will tell the doctor——
OLGA, quickly
What doctor?
HEINRICH
The gentleman who was here with you yesterday.
OLGA, aside
Dr. Miller? He—is—in—there?
HEINRICH
Yes, Madame.
OLGA, aside
Then I’m too late.
[To HEINRICH, reluctantly
Did you see Dr. Miller give a letter to your master? A piece of paper?
HEINRICH
Possibly, Madame, but I don’t remember.
OLGA
Tell Dr. Miller to come at once. Say a lady wishes to speak to him, but don’t give him my name.
[HEINRICH goes out.
[OLGA walks up and down terribly agitated.
[DEVIL enters.
DEVIL
Are you the lady who wishes to see me at once?
OLGA
Oh, tell me—did you—have you...?
DEVIL, nods
Yes—delivered.
[OLGA sinks into chair, clasping her hands tightly.
[Enter HEINRICH, busy with tea things.
Put it here. Thank you.
OLGA
[Without looking at the DEVIL.
Did he read it?
DEVIL
Yes.
[Is busy with his tea.
[Silence.
OLGA
My God!
DEVIL
[Now standing behind OLGA, tea cup in his hand.
After he read it, he buried his face in the pillow and cried.
OLGA
He cried?
DEVIL
I hate men who cry.
OLGA
I did not want him to have that letter. I wanted to speak to him first. I wanted to ask him to give me my letter back unopened I am too late.
DEVIL
You were not too late. It’s I that was too early.
OLGA
He cried?
DEVIL
From joy.
OLGA
I haven’t the courage to speak to him, and yet I feel that I must. I would like to go away, but something holds me; something I cannot—I cannot—oh, what will become of me?
HEINRICH, at door
My master will be here in a moment, sir.
[HEINRICH goes out.
DEVIL
I must be going.
OLGA
Don’t go! Please stay. I don’t want to be alone with him.
DEVIL
But if I am here you cannot speak to him about the letter. I shall only be in the way.
OLGA, very weak
Very well, then, I shall speak to him quite frankly. I shall ask him for the last time—
KARL, voice from the studio
Heinrich!
DEVIL, quick
There he is.
OLGA, very weak
Please stay.
DEVIL, pointing to the small door at L.
I shall be here. If you need me, call.
[DEVIL goes out.
[KARL comes in from the studio.
KARL, kisses OLGA’S hand passionately
Olga! I ought to go on my knees and beg your pardon for what I did last night.
OLGA
Speak low—Dr. Miller is in there.
KARL
Olga—can you ever——
OLGA
No, no; it is I who should ask forgiveness I was to blame. I lost control of myself. After what happened, I wanted to know—I wanted to make sure—but, you understand now, my letter has told you everything.
KARL
What letter?
OLGA, reproachfully
Karl, I understand. You want to spare me—you’re being discreet; but you don’t know me; I mean every word of that letter, I’m glad I wrote it——
KARL
But I didn’t get any letter.
OLGA
Didn’t Doctor Miller give you a letter?
KARL
No, no; really.
OLGA
[Angry and almost crying, crossing to door.
Doctor Miller.
[DEVIL enters.
My—my letter.
DEVIL
Ah, pardon me, Madame, a thousand pardons, I quite forgot. The only excuse I can offer is that there are some letters which ought never to be delivered.
[Takes letter out of his pocket
OLGA
[Takes a step towards KARL, looks at DEVIL over her shoulder, shivers slightly.
Who is that man?
[Silence, KARL looks at DEVIL, OLGA is terrified.
[DEVIL crosses, gives the letter to KARL with a smile.
[OLGA, quickly, to KARL.
Tear that letter up.
[KARL tears up letter.
Put it in the fire.
[KARL crumples up the pieces and throws them in the fire. As he does so, OLGA makes an involuntary movement with her hand as if to stop him, but he does not see it as his back is turned. The DEVIL sees it, however, and smiles
DEVIL
I sincerely regret if my forgetfulness has caused any inconvenience
KARL, at alcove, pointing to door R
[Offensively.
Pray don’t let me detain you—
DEVIL
My train doesn’t leave for an hour. Once more a thousand pardons.
[Crossing to C., turning to both.
If I could have foreseen what terrible distress the non-delivery of this letter——
KARL, firmly
You may be quite sure it contained nothing—er—nothing—
[At a loss for a word.
DEVIL, looking at OLGA
Nothing.
KARL, at large chair
You will miss your train.
DEVIL, to OLGA, bowing
Madame—
[To KARL, offering hand.
[KARL turns his back.
Good-bye, a thousand pardons.
[Exit DEVIL at door to hall.
OLGA
I would have given anything in the world if you had not burned that letter.
KARL
Why—you told—me—
[OLGA shrugs her shoulders as if to say, “What can one expect of a man?”
What does it matter anyway, whatever it is? I would rather hear it from your lips.
OLGA, firmly
No! The letter is burned; it is nothing but ashes—it is dead—no human power can bring it back to life.
KARL
But, Olga!
OLGA
A moment ago I would have given all I possessed to save it from the fire—and now—
KARL
What has happened?
OLGA
I can’t tell you. I only know I am glad—I’m glad.
[OLGA here seems to have suddenly become composed, almost happy, as if something had been settled, though not as she had wished, still it is a relief.
KARL, takes her hand
Olga, do you mean you will never—
OLGA, smiling
I mean you will never know what was in that letter—it is as if it had never been written—it has ceased to exist, and we are past the day of miracles.
KARL, impatiently
Miracles?
OLGA
No, no! Only the devil himself would re-create that letter from its burnt ashes. Good-bye, Karl. I’m going now—I shan’t see you again.
[Shakes hands naturally.
[At word “Devil” the DEVIL enters silently from hall door. He has his fur coat on. He smiles wickedly, and at OLGA’S words “re-create that letter,” pulls OLGA’S letter out of his pocket, and stands so that the chair hides him from KARL and OLGA, who are close to studio door.
KARL
Olga, you are afraid of something. What is it?
OLGA
I’m afraid of—myself—good-bye!
KARL
Good-bye, Olga.
[They turn and see the devil.
[To DEVIL, angrily.
I thought you’d gone!
[Goes abruptly into the studio, OLGA stands as if hypnotized.
DEVIL, to OLGA
I beg your pardon, I am so upset to-day—
[Holding out letter.
I made a mistake—I gave you my tailor’s bill instead of your letter—here is your letter!
[DEVIL gives the letter to OLGA, who snatches it from him in a frightened manner and tears it open. She recognizes her letter.
OLGA
Karl! my letter! I have my letter—
[She runs into the studio.
[The DEVIL goes to the door of the studio, smiles diabolically, listens a minute at the door and rubs his hands as if he was very pleased with himself.
DEVIL
Voilà!
CURTAIN.