PUNTSCHU. By god, she's got breeding!
MAGELONE. (Smiling.) But my dear sirs, take pity on her! She's nothing but a child still!
PUNTSCHU. That'd trouble me damned little! (To Heilmann.) I'd give ten years of my life if I could initiate the young lady into the ceremonies of our secret society!
MAGELONE. But you won't get me to consent to that for a million. I won't have the child's youth ruined, the way mine was!
CASTI-PIANI. Confessions of a lovely soul! (To Magelone.) Would you not agree, either, for a set of real diamonds?
MAGELONE. Don't brag! You'll give as few real diamonds to me as to my child. You know that quite the best yourself. (Kadidia goes into the rear room.)
GESCHWITZ. But is nobody at all going to play, this evening?
LUDMILLA. Why, of course, comtesse. I'm counting on it very much, for one!
BIANETTA. Then let's take our places right away. The gentlemen will soon come then.
GESCHWITZ. May I ask you to excuse me just a second. I must say a word to my friend.