MAR. These foolish entr'actes merely make us shiver. Quickly!
RUD. (taking another portion of the MS.) Here is the next act.
MAR. (to COLLINE) Hush! not a whisper.
(RUDOLPH tears up the MS. and throws it into the fireplace; the flames revive. COLLINE moves his chair nearer and warms his hands. RUDOLPH is standing near the two with the rest of the MS.)
COL. How deep the thought is!
MAR. Color how true!
RUD. In that blue smoke my drama is dying
Full of its love-scenes ardent and new.
COL. A leaf see crackle!
MAR. Those were all the kisses.
RUD. (throwing the remaining MS. on the fire)
Three acts at once I desire to hear.