Ah, you know blackguards, do you? Thirty-nine and two-thirds seconds gone— FANNY What I could have seen in you at any time I don’t know—I wonder at myself—and I laugh—yes, laugh, I tell you—laugh to think I could have been so taken in. I hate you! I hate you!! I hate you!!! AGNUS (_who has crept down the stairs, reënters_) Fanny, don’t say that— [_The Devil picks up from table behind him a brass ornament and throws it—his other hand still holding the watch as before. Agnus disappears in order to dodge the ornament._ FANNY (_raging on through this by-play which she does not observe_) I am going now, never to return. If you should see me again, look the other way unless you wish to be cut before the whole world. THE DEVIL (_snapping watch_) Minute’s up. (_He goes to the door to admit Magnus_) FANNY (_detaining him_) I haven’t finished yet. (_She changes her attitude_) THE DEVIL Oh! you want another minute, eh? (_Takes out his watch again and regards it steadily_) FANNY Don’t think I wish to detain you—Oh, no! (_She laughs sarcastically_) Oh, no indeed! THE DEVIL (_following the second hand of watch with finger while echoing the laugh_) Oh—indeed not! Another ten seconds gone. FANNY I only didn’t want your sleep to be troubled—if people without consciences are ever troubled. I didn’t want your sleep to be troubled, I say, with the thought of any girl sobbing in secret. My heart is quite whole, thank you. I have been simply playing a game all along. You flattered yourself I loved you. (_Laughs almost successfully_) Oh, the egotism of you men— THE DEVIL And half a minute gone. FANNY I never loved you— AGNUS (_who has crept cautiously down again_) Don’t say that, Fanny! [_The Devil throws another brass ornament in the same way as before. Agnus disappears, dodging._ FANNY (_talking on through this incident, which also goes unnoticed by her_) Girls must marry somebody, you know—somebody—not that you should be too much flattered by being called somebody— THE DEVIL Thirty-five seconds—and a third— FANNY (_at a loss_) No, indeed—(_Pauses_) THE DEVIL Oh, yes, I assure you—thirty-five and a third—forty, now— FANNY I never loved you— THE DEVIL You said that before— FANNY (_viciously_) And now I hate you— THE DEVIL You said that, too. You seem to be running out of ideas. Fifty-three seconds gone, but I used three seconds myself and hereby credit you with them. Fifty— FANNY I am going— THE DEVIL And—quite a coincidence—so is the time— FANNY (_raging again_) I am going, nev— THE DEVIL “’er to return.” Aren’t you going to say _anything_ new?—Too late! Minute’s up! (_Starts for Magnus_) FANNY (_still unbelievingly_) You’ll let me go like this—without a word— THE DEVIL Without a _word_! FANNY Do you realize I am going out of your life forever— THE DEVIL (_sighing heavily_) What a chance! FANNY Well—I am—I’m going— THE DEVIL “Never to return”—don’t say it again— FANNY