ing his arm to Bianetta._) May I have the honor
to be your partner? You always hold such a lucky hand!

LUDMILLA. Now just give me your other arm and then lead us into the
gambling-hell. (_The three go off so, rear._)

MAGELONE. Say, Mr. Puntschu, have you still got a few Jungfrau shares
for me, maybe?

PUNTSCHU. Jungfrau-shares? (_To Heilmann._) The lady means the stock
of the funicular railway on the Jungfrau. The Jungfrau, you
know,--the Virgin--is a mountain up which they want to build a wire
railway. (_To Magelone._) You know, just so there may be no
confusion;--and how easy that would be in this select circle!--Yes, I
still have some four thousand Jungfrau-shares, but I should like to
keep those for myself. There won't be such another chance soon of
making a little fortune out of hand.

HEILMANN. I've only one lone share of this Jungfrau-stock so far. I
should like to have more, too.

PUNTSCHU. I'll try, Mr. Heilmann, to look after some for you. But
I'll tell you beforehand you'll have to pay drug-store prices for
them!

MAGELONE. My fortune-teller advised me to look about me in time. All
my savings are in Jungfrau-shares now. If it doesn't turn out well,
Mr. Puntschu, I'll scratch your eyes out!

PUNTSCHU. I am perfectly sure of my affairs, my dearie!

ALVA. (_Who has come back from the card-room, to Magelone._) I can
guarantee your fears are absolutely unfounded. I paid very dear for
my Jungfrau-stock and haven't regretted it a minute. They're going up
steadily from day to day. There never was such a thing before.

MAGELONE. All the better, if you're right. (_Taking Puntschu's arm._)
Come, my friend, let's try our luck now at baccarat. (_All go out,
rear, except Geschwitz and Rodrigo who scribbles something on a piece
of paper and folds it up, then notices Geschwitz._)

RODRIGO. Hm, madam countess--(_Geschwitz starts and shrinks._) Do I
look as dangerous as that? (_To himself._) I must make a bon mot.
(_Aloud._) May I perhaps make so bold--

GESCHWITZ. You can go to the devil!

CASTI-PIANI. (_As he leads Lulu in._) Permit me a word or two.

LULU. (_Not noticing Rodrigo who presses his note into her hand._)
Oh, as many as you like. (_Rodrigo bows and goes out, rear._)

CASTI-PIANI. (_To Geschwitz._) Leave us alone!

LULU. (_To Casti-Piani._) Have I hurt you again in any way?

CASTI-PIANI. (_Since Geschwitz does not stir._) Are you deaf?
(_Geschwitz, sighing deeply, goes out, rear._)

LULU. J