There! He has magicked the book all empty.
[And, sure enough, we see Gelsomino turn the empty pages in despair. It is the simplest of tricks. Then Harlequin points to where the Man of the World woos Columbine with those eyes of his, those greedy eyes. But Gelsomino will not see.
He's out of temper now, so he pretends he doesn't care.
[Harlequin points to the rose that Gelsomino so lightly let fall. The Man of the World is pressing it to his lips.
He points to the rose because that's a--that's a...! Oh, what's the word, Uncle?
Uncle Edward.. Symbol.
Alice.. Thank you ... Symbol of Columbine's true wifely love for him. And what the pointing says is: Are you going to throw that away, too? Don't be a silly fool!
[The Man of the World is taking his leave. The rose is at her lips now.
And what he says is To-night ... just like that. Only I can't say it. Which means he'll come back to-night and carry her off and love her ever so. And he might, what's more, if it wasn't for...! But you'll see.
[Suddenly Gelsomino goes to Columbine and demands the rose, imperiously, with a gesture not to be denied.