(_Utterly bewildered_.) Not I who'll choose?... THE FAIRY Why, no, it doesn't concern you. TYLTYL (_Completely stupefied_.) It doesn't concern me?... THE FAIRY No, no, I told you so: of course it doesn't. TYLTYL (_Failing to understand a word_.) Then I can't love whom I want to? THE FAIRY Why, no.... Nobody loves whom he wants to or does what he wants to in this world. You must first of all learn what is wanted by those on whom you depend. TYLTYL By those on whom I depend?... THE FAIRY Why, yes: your ancestors, to begin with. TYLTYL My ancestors? THE FAIRY All those who have died before you. TYLTYL What business is it of theirs, since they're dead? I don't know them. THE FAIRY I dare say not, but they know you.... And then there are all your children. TYLTYL My children? What children? I've never had any! THE FAIRY Yes, yes, yes, you've had thousands who aren't born yet and who're waiting for the mother whom you're going to give them. TYLTYL Then it's they who will choose my bride? THE FAIRY Why, of course; that's how things always happen.... But let's have no more talk: we have to make a few preparations for the great journey; it's going to be rather long and tiring.... And first we must get some money: I've none left at home; and my magic wand that brings it me is being repaired a few thousand miles down in the centre of the earth ... don't quite see where we're to get what we want: the expenses will be quite heavy.... (_To_ THE GIRLS.) Has any one of you a few thousand francs on her? JALLINE I've only sixpence halfpenny in my bowl, besides Tyltyl's halfpenny, which I can't part with. ROSELLE I've seven francs fifty, to-night's takings. MILETTE I've nothing at all. ROSARELLE I've nothing on me, but grandfather's very rich. THE FAIRY That's all right, it's all we need: he can lend us some money. ROSARELLE Yes, but he's a miser! THE FAIRY No, that's a mistake; there are no misers. Thanks to the sapphire which reveals the heart and essence of things, you will see that he is no more of a miser than you or I and that he will give us whatever we ask. That's the first visit we shall have to pay.... Well, are you all ready? Which way shall we go out? (_At this point, a trap-door opens, in the middle of the stage, and from it there rises slowly, like a tower, a gigantic shape, twice a man's height. It is square, enormous, imposing and overwhelming; it gives the impression of a mass of granite and of immense, blind, inflexible force. Its face is not seen. It is draped in grey folds that are rigid as rock_.) THE SHAPE It's I. You have forgotten me, as usual!... TYLTYL (_Not a little frightened_.) Who is this gentleman? THE FAIRY He's right, I had forgotten him. It's nobody, it's Destiny. I didn't foresee that the sapphire would make him visible also. He will have to come with us; we can't prevent him; he's entitled to. Give him your hand. TYLTYL Will he lead us?