es are the proof of it. For
three years I have tried to tear myself loose; I have not the strength.
I am writing you by the side of the woman that commands me. Forget me.
Dr. Ludwig Schoen."

SCHOEN. (Groaning.) O God!

LULU. (Half startled.) No, no O God! (With emphasis.) "Dr. Ludwig
Schoen." Postscript: "Do not attempt to save me."

SCHOEN. (Having written to the end, quite collapses.) Now--comes
the--execution.

CURTAIN

ACT IV

_A splendid hall in German Renaissance style, with a thick floor of
oak-blocks. The lower half of the walls of dark carved wood; the upper
half on both sides hung with faded Gobelins. At rear, a curtained
gallery from which a monumental stair-case leads, right, half-way down
the stage. At centre, under the gallery, the entrance-door, with
twisted posts and pediment. At left, a high and spacious fire-place
with a Chinese folding screen before it. Further down, left, a French
window onto a balcony, with heavy curtains, closed. Down right, door
hung with Genoese velvet. Near it, a broad ottoman, with a chair on its
left. Behind, near the foot of the stairs, Lulu's Pierrot-picture on a
decorative stand and in a gold frame made to look antique. In the
centre of the hall, a heavy square table, with three high-backed
upholstered chairs round it and a vase of white flowers on it._

_Countess Geschwitz sits on the ottoman, in a soldier-like, fur-trimmed
waist, high, upright collar, enormous cuff-links, a veil over her face
and her hands clasped convulsively in her muff. Schoen stands down
right. Lulu, in a big-flowered morning-dress, her hair in a simple knot
in a golden circlet, sits in the arm-chair left of the ottoman._

GESCHWITZ. You can't think how glad I shall be to see you at our
artists' ball. (To Lulu.)

SCHOEN. Is there no sort of possibility of a person like me smuggling
in?

GESCHWITZ. It would be high treason if any of us lent herself to such
an intrigue.

SCHOEN. (Crossing to the centre table, behind the ottoman.) The glorious
flowers!

LULU. Fraeulein von Geschwitz brought me those.

GESCHWITZ. Don't mention it. Oh, you'll be in man's costume, won't you?

LULU. Do you think that becomes me?

GESCHWITZ. You're a dream here. (Signifying the picture.)

LULU. My husband doesn't like it.

GESCHWITZ. Is it by a local man?

LULU. You will hardly have known him.

GESCHWITZ. No longer living?

SCHOEN. (Down left, with a deep voice.) He had enough.

LULU. Yo