THE DEVIL (_reduced to the frigid politeness of a man who realizes he will be stricken with apoplexy if he allows his feelings to get the better of him again_) I—I see—and now I should like to know—what was the President of China thinking while in his bath this morning?— FANNY (_placidly, seeing, in his loss of control her own dominance of the situation_) Don’t sneer, darling. You loathed yourself for giving in to me a second time. “Even though my heart is broken, I will cast her out of it,” you said sternly. THE DEVIL Just like the kind of novels you read, wasn’t it? FANNY You had been so modest, dear, that I didn’t realize you were a great man. That was your fault. “She doesn’t love me,” you said, “or she’d want me to go on winning Nobel prizes and _being_ a great man. All _she_ loves is the money I can make.” (_Triumphantly_) Am I right? Isn’t that what you thought? THE DEVIL (_wildly_) You’re never right! And I never think. AGNUS You are right—you are! THE DEVIL (_looking morosely at him_) I’ll settle with you later— [_Agnus, terrified, remains silent._ FANNY Don’t be ashamed to concede a woman’s wit, dear. It’s all your teaching. Today you taught me to use my brain. “All she loves is the money I can make,” you said— THE DEVIL You said I said that once— FANNY (_unheeding_) And you _still_ believe it? Don’t you? THE DEVIL Yes. FANNY I know you do. That’s why you gave me the check. Sooner than marry me—thinking that I was playing a part until I could get control of the two million dollars—sooner than be married for your money you said: “Tear it up.” And that shows you love me more than your work, more than your future fame, more than the gratitude of the world—more than humanity—more than everything. And it makes me love you more than ever. (_She takes his hand_) THE DEVIL (_almost in a shrill scream_) Love me more than ever? FANNY (_hurt_) You don’t believe in me, yet? THE DEVIL (_as before_) No! No! No! FANNY Then—I’m sorry for you. Sorry for your work, your fame, your future. But if I can’t make you believe in me any other way, why—then—here goes. (_She twists up the check, strikes a match and lights it; following an old childish game, she says_) He loves me, he loves me not; loves me, loves me not. (_The flame scorches her fingers, but she holds it long enough to say_) He loves me! (_Then she throws the last blazing bit into ash-receiver and throws her arms around The Devil_) MRS. FELIX (_judicially_) I think now—Addington—you can be sure! THE DEVIL (_wrenching himself free_) Damn it!—Doesn’t she know that if Magnus will write one check, he’ll write another! FANNY (_her lip drawn_) Oh, I forgot that! I forgot that! (_Sobbing on her mother’s breast_) Oh, mammy, what can I do to prove it to him? This is my punishment—this is my punishment! DOLL BLONDIN (_to The Devil, herself in tears_) She’s on the square with that stuff, old boy. Don’t be a devil! THE DEVIL (_suddenly realizing_)