FANNY (comes toward him eagerly)
The actress is gone, dear. She said she wouldn’t stand in the way of our happiness once I convinced her how much you loved me. I helped her re-pack her trunks. (Puts her hands out to Agnus)
VANILLITY (taking him aside before he can take Fanny’s hands) One minute, my boy, one minute. (Leads him up-stage so that their backs become turned to the others)
MAGNUS (in the meanwhile has opened his eyes and sees Agnus at mirror; as Agnus moves up stage, he runs to mirror and sees himself) It’s so—it’s so—
VANILLITY (in a low tone to Agnus, not seeing Magnus at mirror) My boy, I’ve been eating out my heart all day for permitting you to accept that offer. But Judge Critty can break me like matchwood, just as Mr. Magnus can break him. So I seemed to consent. But I do not. Don’t take the offer.
[Schwartzenhopfel, who has also opened his eyes and come down to the mirror, now touches Magnus’s arm and nods approval of Vanillity.
VANILLITY
It’s damnable—
MAGNUS (who has turned to listen, motioning Mrs. Felix and Fanny to silence) Damnable?—
VANILLITY (turning around, white and trembling)