lady, it is worth anything if it will make you happy and
add to the eclat of the wedding. There's nothing too good for Estelle.

MRS. IS. Ah, what a wonderful man you are. [Eyeing him.] I was wondering
how rose pink would go with your complexion.

HAGEN. Dear me! Am I to wear rose pink?

MRS. IS. No, but I'm planning the decoration for the wedding breakfast
.... And I'm puzzled about the flowers. I'm weary of orchids and la
France roses... Mrs. Bagley-Willis had her ball room swamped with them
last week.

HAGEN. We must certainly not imitate Mrs. Bagley-Willis.

MRS. IS. [Complacently.] I fancy she's pretty nearly at the end of her
rope. My maid tells me she couldn't pay her grocer's bill till she got
that million from you!

HAGEN. Ha, ha, ha!

MRS. IS. I wish you'd come with me for a moment... I have some designs
for the breakfast menu...

HAGEN. Delighted, I'm sure. [They go off, left.]

GER. Oh, my God!

EST. [Enters in a beautiful afternoon gown, and carrying an armful of
roses; she is nervous and preoccupied.] Ah! Gerald!

GER. Estelle. [He watches her in silence; she arranges flowers.]

EST. How goes the poem, Gerald?

GER. The poem! Who could think of a poem at a time like this? [Advancing
toward her.] Estelle! I can bear it no longer!

EST. What?

GER. This crime! I tell you it's a crime you're committing!

EST. Oh, Gerald! Don't begin that again. You know it's too late. And it
tears me to pieces!

GER. I can't help it. I must say it!

EST. [Hurrying toward him.] Brother! You must not say another word to
me! I tell you you must not... I can't bear it!

GER. Estelle...

EST. No, I say... no! I've given my word! My honor is pledged, and it's
too late to turn back. I have permitted father to incur obligations
before all the world.

GER. But, Estelle, you don't know. If you understood all... all...

EST. [With sudden intensity.] Gerald! I know what you mean! I have felt
it! You know more about Prince Hagen than you have told me. There is
some secret--something strange. [She stares at him wildly.] I don't want
to know it! Gerald... don't you understand? We are in that man's hands!
We are at his mercy! Don't you know that he would never give me up? He
would follow me to the end of the earth! He would wreck the whole world
to get me! I am in a cage with a wild beast!

[They stare at each other.]

GER. [In sudden excitement.] Estelle!

EST. What?

GER. Can it be that you love this man?