.

GESCHWITZ. (_Shuddering._) How can such a monstrosity save your life?
I don't understand that. You have conjured up to torture me the most
terrible fate that can fall upon outlawed me!

LULU. (_Watchful._) Perhaps the encounter will cure you.

GESCHWITZ. (_Sighing._) O Lulu, if an eternal retribution does exist,
I hope I may not have to answer then for you. I cannot make myself
believe that no God watches over us. Yet you are probably right that
there is nothing there, for how can an insignificant worm like me
have provoked his wrath so as to experience only horror there where
all living creation swoons for bliss?

LULU. You needn't complain. When you *are* happy you're a hundred
thousand times happier than one of us ordinary mortals ever is!

GESCHWITZ. I know that too! I envy no one! But I am still waiting.
You have deceived me so often already.

LULU. I am yours, my darling, if you quiet Mr. Acrobat till
to-morrow. He only wants his vanity placated. You must beseech him to
take pity on you.

GESCHWITZ. And to-morrow?

LULU. I await you, my heart. I shall not open my eyes till you come:
see no chambermaid, receive no hair-dresser, not open my eyes before
you are with me.

GESCHWITZ. Then let him come.

LULU. But you must throw yourself at his head, dear! Have you got the
house-number?

GESCHWITZ. Three-seventy-six. But quick now!

LULU. (_Calls into the dining-room._) Ready, my darling?

RODRIGO. (_Entering._) The ladies will pardon my mouth's being full.

GESCHWITZ. (_Seizing his hand._) I implore you, have mercy on my
need!

RODRIGO. A la bonne heure! Let us mount the scaffold! (_Offers her
his arm._)

LULU. Good-night, children! (_Accompanies them into the corridor....
then quickly returns with Bob._) Quick, quick, Bob! We must get away
this moment! You escort me! But we must change clothes!

BOB. (_Curt and clear._) As the gracious lady bids.

LULU. Oh what, gracious lady! You give me your clothes and put on
mine. Come! (_Exeunt into the dining-room. Noise in the card-room,
the doors are torn open, and Puntschu, Heilmann, Alva, Bianetta,
Magelone, Kadidia and Ludmilla enter, Heilmann holding a piece of
paper with a glowing Alpine peak at its top._)

HEILMANN. (_To Puntschu._) Will you accept this share of
Jungfrau-stock, sir?

PUNTSCHU. But that paper has no exchange, my friend.

HEILMANN. You rascal! You just don't want to give me my revenge!

MAGELONE. (_To Bianetta._) Have you a