LULU. (Pointing to the letters.) There are more there.

SCHWARZ. (Opening an engagement announcement.) See. (Gives it to Lulu.)

LULU. (Reads.) Sir Henry von Zarnikow has the honor to announce the
engagement of his daughter, Charlotte Marie Adelaide, to Doctor Ludwig
Schoen.

SCHWARZ. (As he opens another letter.) At last! He's been an eternal
while evading a public engagement. I can't understand it--a man of his
standing and influence. What can be in the way of his marriage?

LULU. What is that that you're reading?

SCHWARZ. An invitation to take part in the international exhibition at
St. Petersburg. I have no idea what to paint for it.

LULU. Some entrancing girl or other, of course.

SCHWARZ. Will you be willing to pose for it?

LULU. God knows there are other pretty girls enough in existence!

SCHWARZ. But with any other model--tho she be as racy as hell--I can't
get such a full display of my powers.

LULU. Then I must, I suppose. Wouldn't it go as well lying down?

SCHWARZ. Really, I'd liefest have your taste arrange it for me.
(Folding up the letters.) Don't let's forget to congratulate Schoen
to-day, anyway. (Goes left and shuts the letters in the writing-table.)

LULU. But we did that a long time ago.

SCHWARZ. For his bride's sake.

LULU. You can write to him again if you want.

SCHWARZ. And now to work! (Takes up his brushes and palette, kisses
Lulu, goes up the steps, right, and turns around in the door-way.) Eve!

LULU. (Lets her book sink, smiling.) Your pleasure?

SCHWARZ. (Approaching her.) I feel every day as if I were seeing you
for the very first time.

LULU. You're a terror.

SCHWARZ. The fault is yours. (He sinks on his knees by the couch and
caresses her hand.)

LULU. (Stroking his hair.) You're =wasting= me.

SCHWARZ. You =are mine=. But you are never more ensnaring than when you
ought for God's sake to be, just once, real ugly for a couple of hours!
Since I've had you, I have had nothing more. I'm entirely lost to
myself.

LULU. Not so excited! (Bell rings in the corridor.)

SCHWARZ. (Pulling himself together.) Confound it!

LULU. No one at home!

SCHWARZ. Perhaps it's the art-dealer--

LULU. And if it's the Chinese Emperor!

SCHWARZ. One moment. (Exit.)

LULU. (Visionary.) Thou? Thou? (Closes her eyes.)

SCHWARZ. (Coming back.) A beggar, who says he was in the war. I have no
small change on me. (Taking up his palette and brushes.) It's high
time, too, that I