have asked your permission first? What were
my thanks here that I freed you from prison at the cost of my health?
You abandoned me! I might have had to be a baggage-man if this girl
hadn't taken me up! At my very first entrance, right away, they threw
a velvet-covered arm-chair at my head! This country is too decadent
to value genuine shows of strength any more. If I'd been a boxing
kangaroo they'd have interviewed me and put my picture in all the
papers. Thank heaven, I'd already made the acquaintance of my
Celestine. She's got the savings of twenty years deposited with the
government; and she loves me just for myself. She doesn't aim only at
vulgar things, like you. She's had three children by an American
bishop--all of the greatest promise. Day after to-morrow we'll get
married by the registrar.

LULU. You have my blessing.

RODRIGO. Your blessing *can* be stolen from me. I've told my bride I
had twenty thousand in stock at the bank.

LULU. (_Amused._) And after that he boasts the person loves him for
himself!

RODRIGO. She honors in me the man of mind, not the man of might as
you and all the others have done. That's over now. First they tore
the clothes from one's body and then they waltzed around with the
chambermaid. I'll be a skeleton before I'll let myself in again for
such diversions!

LULU. Then why the devil do you pursue the unfortunate Geschwitz with
your attentions?

RODRIGO. Because the creature is of noble blood. I'm a man of the
world, and can do distinguished conversation better than any of you.
But now (_with a gesture_) my talk is hanging out of my mouth! Will
you get me the money before to-morrow evening or won't you?

LULU. I have no money.

RODRIGO. I'll have hen-droppings in my head before I'll let myself be
put off with that! He'll give you his last cent if you'll only do
your damned duty once! You lured the poor lad here, and now he can
see where to scare up a suitable engagement for his accomplishments.

LULU. What has it to do with you if he wastes his money with women or
at cards?

RODRIGO. Do you absolutely *want*, then, to throw the last penny that
his father earned by his paper into the jaws of this rapacious pack?
You'll make four people happy if you'll not take things too exactly
and sacrifice yourself for a beneficent purpose! Has it got to be
only Casti-Piani *forever*?

LULU. (_Lightly._) Shall I ask him perhaps to light you down the
stairs?

RODRIGO. As you wish,