I did—I was a selfish beast— MRS. FELIX She wouldn’t have admitted she was a beast just now—unless she loved you—madly— THE DEVIL (_bitterly_) She knows I’ve got a check for two million in my pocket— FANNY Oh, I know I deserve that, too. But I wish you didn’t have the old check just to prove to you— THE DEVIL You do? FANNY (_hastily_) No. I don’t mean that. Forgive me for being selfish. The check means triumph for your work— THE DEVIL (_grinning maliciously_) Means houses in New York, and motors, and private railroad cars, and boxes at the opera, too, doesn’t it? FANNY (_earnestly_) Addington, I’d be content to live on the top of a mountain if I had you, dear. THE DEVIL That’s all right as a popular song, darling! (_He grits his teeth again_) AGNUS (_in agony_) She means it, can’t you see? She’s changed. The fear of losing the man she loves has made her forget all the little things—realizing that the only big thing is—love!— FANNY Oh, Mr. Schwartzenhopfel, you have loved! _You_ understand. Make _him_ understand— THE DEVIL (_to Agnus_) You sentimental idiot! You think she means it, do you? AGNUS (_boldly_) I know it! DOLL BLONDIN (_herself touched_) Honest, Doctor, I believe she does. [_Fanny looks gratefully at them._ THE DEVIL (_desperately_) You see this? (_He thrusts the check under her nose_) What is it? FANNY The two-million-dollar check. THE DEVIL All right. (_He puts it in her hand_) Tear it up! FANNY (_paling_) But—Addington—your work— THE DEVIL (_with a sneer to Agnus_) You see? (_To Doll_) See? FANNY (_joyously_) I see, too! It’s wrong, but it makes me the happiest girl in the world. THE DEVIL (_exasperated_) What does? FANNY It’s wicked for me to feel that way—I know I shouldn’t.—Forgive me. THE DEVIL (_shouting_) What damned mare’s-nest have you foisted on me this time? What’s the latest crazy eroticism you’re going to pretend to see in me? FANNY Don’t swear, dear. You’re above it. But as for the check: I understand and I love you the more for it. THE DEVIL (_shouting louder_) Love me the more? By Saturn! this is too much—this passes all endurance— FANNY You’re angry because I’ve discovered your secret. Because you know now that I know that no matter how much you try to make your work come first, you can’t. THE DEVIL (_swearing wildly_) Oh, Jupiter! Oh, the Pleiades! Oh, the Milky Way, the Crab, and the Gemini!—Where under the light of the sun or in the bowels of the earth—in what corner of a lunatic asylum did you find that colossal, preposterous and utterly insane hallucination of a disordered brain? FANNY In your heart, dear—in your heart. This morning I made you give up work that was dearer to you than life. You promised. Your better nature made you break that promise. Then I came again, tempting you; threatening to leave you forever. Your heart betrayed you again. And—when I was gone—you loathed yourself for your weakness.