The Devil

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.

[Illustration: Olga and Karl]

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.