MAGELONE--I love sharp-shooters better. Three months ago a sharp-shooter appeared in the Casino, and every time he went “bang!” I felt like this. [_She wriggles her hips._] CASTI-PIANI--[_Who speaks thruout the act in a bored and weary tone, to_ MAGELONE.] Say, dearie, how does it happen we see your nice little princess here for the first time to-night? [_Meaning_ KADIDIA.] MAGELONE--Do you really find her so delightful?--She is still in the convent. She must be back in school again on Monday. KADIDIA--What did you say, Mama? MAGELONE--I was just telling the gentlemen that you got the highest mark in geometry last week. HEILMANN--Some pretty hair she’s got! CASTI-PIANI--Just look at her feet: the way she walks. PUNTSCHU--By God, she’s a thoroughbred! MAGELONE--[_Smiling._] But, my dear sirs, take pity on her! She’s nothing but a child still! PUNTSCHU--That’d trouble me damned little! [_To_ HEILMANN.] I’d give ten years of my life if I could initiate the young lady into the ceremonies of our secret society! MAGELONE--But you won’t get me to consent to that for a million. I won’t have the child’s youth ruined, the way mine was! CASTI-PIANI--Confessions of a lovely soul! [_To_ MAGELONE.] Would you not grant your permission even for a set of real diamonds? MAGELONE--Don’t brag! You’ll give as few real diamonds to me as to my child. You know that best yourself. [KADIDIA _goes into the rear room_.] GESCHWITZ--But is nobody at all going to play, this evening? LUDMILLA--Why, of course, Comtesse. I’m counting on it very much, for one! BIANETTA--Then let’s take our places right away. The gentlemen will soon come then. GESCHWITZ--May I ask you to excuse me just a second more? I must say a word to my friend. CASTI-PIANI--[_Offering his arm to_ BIANETTA.] May I have the honor to be your partner? You always hold such a lucky hand! LUDMILLA--Now just give me your other arm and then lead us into the gambling-hell. [_The three go off so, rear._] MAGELONE--Say, Mr. Puntschu, have you still got a few Jungfrau-shares for me, maybe? PUNTSCHU--Jungfrau-shares? [_To_ HEILMANN.] The lady means the stock of the funicular railway on the Jungfrau. The Jungfrau, you know,--the Virgin--is a mountain and they’re going to build a wire railway up it. [_To_ MAGELONE.] You understand,--just so there may be no confusion;--and how easy that would be in this select circle!--Yes, I still have some four thousand Jungfrau-shares, but I should like to keep those for myself. There won’t be such another chance soon of making a little fortune out of hand. HEILMANN--I’ve only one lone share of this Jungfrau-stock so far. I should like to have more, too. PUNTSCHU--I’ll try, Mr. Heilmann, to look after some for you. But I tell you beforehand you’ll have to pay drug-store prices for them! MAGELONE--My fortune-teller advised me to look about me in time. All my savings are in Jungfrau-shares now. If it doesn’t turn out well, Mr. Puntschu, I’ll scratch your eyes out!