OLGA, covering her face with her hand

We must give up the portrait, Karl ... I'm going away ... away somewhere.

DEVIL, L., with HERMAN.

You don't say? You represent Holman & Co. in London? When I am in Odessa I am always old Mr. Holman's guest. A charming old gentleman. No doubt you have heard the rumors. It seems they've been mixed up with some unfortunate ventures which have seriously affected their standing.

HERMAN, seated on couch

Strange! Another friend of mine spoke to me about it only yesterday.

DEVIL

Yes, but that isn't all. He's the president of some trust company, and in order to boom the stocks he—but it's a long story, I won't bore you with it now.

[Makes as if he wanted to go.

HERMAN