Clara.
Get me free!—Read that! (throwing him Leonard’s letter).
Sec. (reading).
As cashier—your brother—thief—very sorry—I have no choice in view of my office. (To Clara.) Did he write that the day your mother died? Why, he goes on to express his sympathy at her sudden death!
Clara.
Yes, he did.
Sec.
May he be—Dear God, the cats and snakes and other monsters that slipped through your fingers at the creation pleased Beelzebub, so that he made them after you. But he decked them out better than you did. He gave them human form. Now they stand shoulder to shoulder with mankind, and we don’t recognise them till they begin to spit and scratch. (To Clara.) Very good! Excellent! (Tries to embrace her.) Come! For eternity. With this kiss——
Clara (sinks into his arms).
No, not for ever. Don’t let me fall,—but no kiss.