air in our house.. .
and in the saloon that dreadful night. We ought never to have gone to
that place! I knew as soon as I laid eyes on the man that he'd do us
harm.

IS. We must keep out of his power. We must save what we can from the
wreck and learn to do with it. You'll have to give up your Newport plans
this year.

MRS. IS. [Aghast.] What!

IS. We won't be able to open the house.

MRS. IS. You're mad!

IS. My dear...

MRS. IS. Now, John Isman, you listen to me! I was quite sure you had
some such idea in your mind! And I tell you right now, I simply will not
hear of it! I...

IS. But what can we do, my dear?

MRS. IS. I don't know what we can do! But you'll have to raise money
somehow. I will not surrender my social position to Mrs. Bagley-Willis
... not for all the Wall Street panics in the world. Oh, that man is a
fiend! I tell you, John Isman...

IS. Control yourself!

HAGEN. [Off right.] Very well! I shall be charmed, I'm sure. [Enters.]
Oh! How do you do, Mrs. Isman?

MRS. IS. Oh, Prince Hagen, a most beautiful evening you've given us.

HAGEN. Ah! I'm glad if you've enjoyed it.

MRS. IS. Yes, indeed...

IS. Prince Hagen, may I have a few words with you?

HAGEN. Why, surely... if you wish...

IS. I do.

MRS. IS. Prince Hagen will excuse me. [Exit, left.]

HAGEN. [Goes to table, centre, and sits opposite ISMAN.] Well?

IS. Prince Hagen, what do you want with me?

HAGEN. [Surprised.] Why... the pleasure of your company.

IS. I mean in the Street.

HAGEN. Oh! Have you been hit?

IS. Don't mock me. You have used your resources deliberately to ruin
me. You have followed me... you have taken every railroad in which I am
interested, and driven it to the wall. And I ask you, man to man, what
do you want?

HAGEN. [After some thought.] Isman, listen to me. You remember four
months ago I offered you a business alliance?

IS. I had no idea of your resources then. Had I known, I should not have
rejected your offer. Am I being punished for that?

HAGEN. No, Isman... it isn't punishment. Had you gone into the alliance
with me it would have been just the same. It was my purpose to get you
into my power.

IS. Oh!

HAGEN. To bring you here... to make you sit down before me, and ask,
What do you want?... And so I will tell you what I want, man to man! [A
pause.] I want your daughter.

IS. [Starts.] What!

HAGEN. I want your daughter.

IS. Good God!

HAGEN. Do you understand now?

IS.