one expects to see one's
whole inner self cave in. The more self-restraint a man loads onto
himself, the easier he breaks down. Nothing will save him from that
except-- (Stops to look under the table.)

LULU. (Quickly.) What are you looking for?

ALVA. I conjure you, let me keep my confession of faith to myself! As
an inviolable sanctity you were more to me than with all your gifts you
could be to anyone else in your life!

LULU. How do you come to think on that so entirely differently from
your father? (Ferdinand enters, rear, changes the plates and serves
broiled chicken with salad.)

ALVA. (To him.) Are you sick?

LULU. (To Alva.) Let him be!

ALVA. He's trembling as if he had fever.

FERDINAND. I am not yet so used to waiting ...

ALVA. You must have something prescribed for you.

FERDINAND. (Thru his teeth.) I'm a coachman usually-- (Exit.)

SCHOEN. (Whispering from the gallery.) So, he too. (Seats himself behind
the rail, able to cover himself with the hangings.)

LULU. What sort of moments are those of which you spoke, where one
expects to see his whole inner self tumble in?

ALVA. I =didn't want= to speak of them. I should not like to lose, in
joking over a glass of champagne, what has been my highest happiness
for ten years.

LULU. I have hurt you. I won't begin on that again.

ALVA. Do you promise me that for always?

LULU. My hand on it. (Gives him her hand across the table. Alva takes
it hesitatingly, grips it in his, and presses it long and ardently to
his lips.) What are you doing. (Rodrigo sticks his head out from the
curtains, left. Lulu darts an angry look at him across Alva, and he
draws back.)

SCHOEN. (Whispering from the gallery.) And there is still another!

ALVA. (Holding the hand.) A soul--that in the hereafter rubs the sleep
out of its eyes.... Oh, this hand....

LULU. (Innocently.) What do you find in it?...

ALVA. An arm....

LULU. What do you find in it?...

ALVA. A body.....

LULU. (Guilelessly.) What do you find in it?...

ALVA. (Stirred up.) Mignon!

LULU. (Wholly ingenuously.) What do you find in it?...

ALVA. (Passionately.) Mignon! Mignon!

LULU. (Throws herself on the ottoman.) Don't look at me so--for God's
sake! Let us go before it is too late. You're an infamous wretch!

ALVA. I told you, didn't I, I was the basest villain.

LULU. I see that!

ALVA. I have no sense of honor, no pride....

LULU. You think I am your equal!

ALVA. You?--you ar