DEVIL, in evening dress, red carnation in buttonhole; after some silence
I never dreamed how quiet it could be when seven ladies are not talking.
[Protesting movement on the part of the GUESTS.
Oh, I know—you have been very merciful to me in my absence.
ELSA, on stairs
You needn't think I am afraid to say what I think to your face. I was just about to—
[She makes a movement showing that she wanted to look for him.
DEVIL
You did well to stay. They would have said much worse things about you—they would have spoken about your approaching engagement to Karl.
ELSA