tter from his pocket._) Just read this
effusion! I'll read it to you. Here's the postmark "Cairo," so you
won't believe I work with forged documents. The girl is a Berliner,
was married two years and to a man whom you would have envied her, a
former comrade of mine. He travels now for the Hamburg Colonial
Company....

LULU. (_Merrily._) Then perhaps he *visits* his wife occasionally?

CASTI-PIANI. That is not incredible. But hear this impulsive
expression of her feelings. My white-slave traffic seems to me
absolutely no more honorable than the very best judge would tax it
with being, but a cry of joy like this lets me feel a certain moral
satisfaction for a moment. I am proud to earn my money by scattering
happiness with full hands. (_Reads._) "Dear Mr. Meyer"--that's my
name as a white-slave trader--"when you go to Berlin, please go right
away to the conservatory on the Potsdamer Strasse and ask for Gusti
von Rosenkron--the most beautiful woman that I've ever seen in
nature--delightful hands and feet, naturally small waist, straight
back, full body, big eyes and short nose--just the sort you like
best. I have written to her already. She has no prospects with her
singing. Her mother hasn't a penny. Sorry she's already twenty-two,
but she's pining for love. Can't marry, because absolutely without
means. I have spoken with Madame. They'd like to take another German,
if she's well educated and musical. Italians and Frenchwomen can't
compete with us, 'cause of too little culture. If you should see
Fritz"--Fritz is the husband; he's getting a divorce, of
course,--"tell him it was all a bore. He didn't know any better, nor
did I either." Now come the exact details--

LULU. (_Goaded._) I can not sell the only thing that ever was my own!

CASTI-PIANI. Let me read some more.

LULU. (_As before._) This very evening, I'll hand over to you our
entire wealth.

CASTI-PIANI. Believe me, for God's sake, I've *got* your last red
cent! If we haven't left this house before eleven, you and your lot
will be transported to-morrow in a police-car to Germany.

LULU. You *can't* give me up!

CASTI-PIANI. Do you think that would be the worst thing I can have
done in my life?... I must, in case we go to-night, have just a brief
word with Bianetta. (_He goes into the card-room, leaving the door
open behind him. Lulu stares before her, mechanically crumpling up
the note that Rodrigo stuck into her hand, which she has held in her
fingers