Who do you think’s paying for my lessons, my education? Think I saved it out of a chorus salary? If somebody in New York were to hear such a story, it would be good-bye to taking part of my pay in three sheets. (_Puts out her hand_) But I’ll run in on you every now and then to say “Hello.” You are _such_ a brute! FANNY (_standing between them_) You’ll do nothing of the sort, d’you hear? DOLL BLONDIN Indeed, miss? FANNY Indeed, miss, and indeed, miss—and as for you, Addington Agnus, I’ll stay here in this house—with mother, until our wedding-day— THE DEVIL (_desperately_) By Saturn—I wish I could think of something to do to you— AGNUS (_desperately_) Tell her the truth—the truth. If you don’t want her, I want her— [_A noise is heard outside._ FANNY You! AGNUS Yes, I! Fanny, listen! Here is the truth! (_He seizes her, overcome with love, and embraces and kisses her_) [_Fanny screams._ AGNUS Listen, Fanny, I am— [_The noise increases. The door is thrown open, and through it are seen a Detective-lieutenant and his two men, all in plain clothes, as well as Sheriff Peattie and Judge Critty. They appear just in time to see Agnus embrace Fanny and to hear her scream._ JUDGE CRITTY Here are the police you called for, Mr. Magnus. I brought them as fast as I could. [_Schwartzenhopfel dodges instinctively at the word “Police.” Agnus releases Fanny and plunges headforemost onto the sofa, where he hides ostrich-like among the pillows._ JUDGE CRITTY (_pointing to The Devil_) There’s the gentleman! PEATTIE What? Doctor Agnus? JUDGE CRITTY He’s as much my friend as yours, Constable. But he must have gone insane. I saw him—through that window—threatening Mr. Magnus there with a knife. Mr. Magnus was—I regret to say—reduced to kneeling for mercy and calling for the police— SCHWARTZENHOPFEL (_with shamefaced recollection_) Oh, that was—that was—well—(_Looks to The Devil for assistance_) THE DEVIL That was only a little play we were rehearsing for charity. Don’t you understand—a rehearsal—Ha! Ha! A rehearsal! SCHWARTZENHOPFEL That’s it—play—charity—rehearsal— JUDGE CRITTY (_covered with confusion_) I’m sure I’m sorry— PEATTIE I’m right glad—I’d hate to see Senator Agnus’s son in trouble. My apologies, Doctor—for these three New York detectives too—they just happened to be by when the Judge located me, and they came along to help me—thought it was something desperate. We’ll go— FANNY (_furiously_) One moment! I want that man punished. (_Points to Agnus on the sofa_) For the second time today—you saw him—he has grossly insulted me! [_Peattie looks around, taken aback._ FANNY (_stamping her foot_) I want him punished, I say! LIEUTENANT (_gruffly, pointing to Agnus’s buried face_) Looks guilty, Cap. Trying to hide like that the minute he sees the police. PEATTIE (_takes one quick step forward and jerks Agnus to his feet_) Here, what about this? Can’t have ladies insulted hereabouts, you know.