LULU. But it is absolutely indifferent to me what they think of me. I don't, in the least, want to be any better than I am. I'm content with myself. SCHÖN. (In moral indignation.) That is your true nature. I call that straightforward! A corruption!! LULU. I wouldn't have known that I had a spark of self-respect-- SCHÖN. (Suddenly distrustful.) No harlequinading-- LULU. O Lord--I know very well what I'd have become if you hadn't saved me from it. SCHÖN. Are you then, perhaps, something different to-day? LULU. God be thanked, no! SCHÖN. That is right! LULU. (Laughs.) And how awfully glad I am about it. SCHÖN. (Spits.) Will you dance now? LULU. In anything, before anyone! SCHÖN. Then down to the stage! LULU. (Begging like a child.) Just a minute more! Please! I can't stand up straight yet. They'll ring. SCHÖN. You have become what you are in spite of everything I sacrificed for your education and your welfare. LULU. Had you overrated your ennobling influence? SCHÖN. Spare me your witticisms. LULU. The prince was here. SCHÖN. Well? LULU. He takes me with him to Africa. SCHÖN. Africa? LULU. Why not? Didn't you make me a dancer just so that someone might come and take me away with him? SCHÖN. But not to Africa, though! LULU. Then why didn't you let me fall quietly in a faint, and silently thank heaven for it? SCHÖN. Because, more's the pity, I had no reason for believing in your faint! LULU. (Making fun of him.) You couldn't bear it any longer out there? SCHÖN. Because I had to bring home to you what you are and to whom you are not to look up. LULU. You were afraid, though, that my legs might have been seriously injured? SCHÖN. I know too well you are indestructible. LULU. So you know that? SCHÖN. (Bursting out.) Don't look at me so impudently! LULU. No one is keeping you here. SCHÖN. I'm going as soon as the bell rings. LULU. As soon as you have the energy! Where is your energy? You have been engaged three years. Why don't you marry? You recognize no obstacles. Why do you want to put the blame on me? You ordered me to marry Dr. Goll: I forced Dr. Goll to marry me. You ordered me to marry the painter: I made the best of a bad bargain. Artists are your creatures, princes your protegés. Why don't you marry? SCHÖN. (Raging.) Do you imagine =you= stand in the way? LULU. (From here to the end of the act triumphant.) If you knew how happy your rage is making me! How proud I am that you should humble me by every means in your power! You debase me as deep--as deep as a woman can be debased, for you hope you can then jump over me easier. But you have suffered unspeakably yourself from everything you just said to me. I see it in you. Already you are near the end of your self-command. Go! For your innocent fiancée's sake, leave me alone! One minute more, your mood will change around and you'll make a scene with me of another kind, that you can't answer for now. SCHÖN. I fear you no longer.