Rosa.
[Thinking of Rafael.] Yes, yes, my God did send me here—[checks herself]—or else I should have starved.
Sachel.
Starve! Does a demon ever starve? Not while young men have hot blood! Hah! It is well that I have found you out before this thing has gone too far. Don't I know your damned tricks; you wouldn't be satisfied with a passing touch of his lips. You've got a brain—a lying, scheming, devilish brain! You want his heart—you want his soul! By God! [He goes vigorously and opens the door, to the street.] Do you know what I'm going to do? There's where we found you—out there in the streets, without a friend, without a cent, and your dead father——
Rosa.
Sachel, my father helped your people!
Sachel.
Now let the Jews help his daughter! You've lied to me always! Shall I believe this story of your father? I believe he was a demon like you! I believe he was sent out of hell to steal away men's souls, as you were. You've found something to fight when you've come across me! Shall I feel a snake in my bosom and not cast it out? [He points to the door.] You—[He checks himself; a pause.] Shut the door! Go on with your work! [Exit Rosa.] No, no, no—it won't do to tear him away from her. She is beautiful;—we must marry him to Rebecca. Rebecca is handsome, Rebecca is rich, Rebecca is minx enough. We must marry him to Rebecca if we can. If not, to some one else—any one else, as soon as we can. But we must handle him with care. Ah! I had better get the Rabbi to talk to him; the Rabbi has tact. And, for the present, we must let Rosa be.
Enter Esther. A knock on the door.
Aaron. Come in!