ADOLF [_takes a photo out of his pocketbook. Inquisitively_]. Here you are. GUSTAV [_takes it_]. Were you present when it was taken? ADOLF. No. GUSTAV. Just look at it? Is it like the portrait you painted? No, the features are the same, but the expression is different. But you don't notice that, because you insist on seeing in it the picture of her which you've painted. Now look at this picture as a painter, without thinking of the original. What does it represent? I can see nothing but a tricked-out flirt, playing the decoy. Observe the cynical twist in the mouth, which you never managed to see. You see that her look is seeking a man quite different from you. Observe the dress is _décolleté_, the coiffure titivated to the last degree, the sleeves finished high up. You see? ADOLF. Yes, now I see. GUSTAV. Be careful, my boy. ADOLF. Of what? GUSTAV [_gives him back the portrait_]. Of her revenge. Don't forget that by saying she was no longer attractive to men you wounded her in the one thing which she took most seriously. If you'd called her literary works twaddle she'd have laughed, and pitied your bad taste, but now--take it from me--if she hasn't avenged herself already it's not her fault. ADOLF. I must be clear on that point. [_He goes over to Gustav, and sits down in his previous place. Gustav approaches him._] GUSTAV. Find out yourself. ADOLF. Find out myself? GUSTAV. Investigate. I'll help you, if you like. ADOLF [_after a pause_]. Good. Since I've been condemned to death once--so be it--sooner or later it's all the same what's to happen. GUSTAV. One question first. Hasn't your wife got just one weak point? ADOLF. Not that I know of. [_Adolf goes to the open door in the center_]. Yes. You can hear the steamer in the Sound now--she'll be here soon. And I must go down to meet her. GUSTAV [_holding him back_]. No, stay here. Be rude to her. If she's got a good conscience she'll let you have it so hot and strong that you won't know where you are. But if she feels guilty she'll come and caress you. ADOLF. Are you so sure of it? GUSTAV. Not absolutely. At times a hare goes back in the tracks, but I'm not going to let this one escape me. My room is just here. [_Points to the door on the right and goes behind Adolf's chair._] I'll keep this position, and be on the look-out, while you play your game here, and when you've played it to the end we'll exchange parts. I'll go in the cage and leave myself to the tender mercies of the snake, and you can stand at the keyhole. Afterwards we'll meet in the park and compare notes. But pull yourself together, old man, and if you show weakness I'll knock on the floor twice with a chair. ADOLF [_getting up_]. Right. But don't go away: I must know that you're in the next room.