THE FAIRY At home, in my palace; they'll wait there for you and will be quite safe.... Be quick and come back soon. TYLTYL What about Destiny? I thought he would never leave me again? THE FAIRY That's true; it's curious. But it's not our business to run after him; it's his own affair; he's by no means indispensable. TYLTYL Are you coming with me to the Miser? THE FAIRY No, it's better that you should see him alone.... You're not frightened, are you? TYLTYL Not a bit; but I don't quite know what I am to do. THE FAIRY It's very simple: when you're in there, you turn the sapphire; and he'll give you anything you want. TYLTYL He won't attack me? I've no weapons, you know. THE FAIRY On the contrary, he will be delighted to be of service. TYLTYL How shall I get in? There's no bell and no knocker. Am I to tap at the door? THE FAIRY Do nothing of the sort! That would be giving him a hint; and he would become unmanageable.... But this also is quite simple. I will touch the big lock with my wand; the doors will slide back to right and left; and you will suddenly be on the other side, that is to say, right inside the cave, before he even suspects it. Once there, you can keep quiet in your corner for a moment and watch him playing with his gold, if that amuses you; and it will amuse you, for it's rather curious. Then, when you've had enough, turn the sapphire. Get over there, on the left, against the wall of the arch, so that you can slip into his den at once, without making a noise.... Look out! The door will disappear! And I'll take myself off this way!... (_She touches the great lock with her wand_.) SCENE III _The Miser's Cave_ (_The heavy doors open in the middle, slide right and left and disappear in the slips, revealing the whole of_ THE MISER'S _den, an immense cave with low arches in which are piled large sacks bursting with gold, silver and copper coins. The only light comes from a wretched smoking candle_. TYLTYL _hides himself as well as he can in a dark corner_. THE MISER, _an old, hook-nosed man, with a dirty white beard and long, scanty hair, is dressed in a sort of squalid, patched dressing-gown. On the floor is an old carpet, with three sacks bulging with gold at one corner_.) THE MISER