(A knock)

Good Heaven! My mother can that have been?

MARTHA (peeping through the blind)

’Tis some strange gentleman.—Come in!

(MEPHISTOPHELES enters.)

MEPHISTOPHELES

That I so boldly introduce me,
I beg you, ladies, to excuse me.

(Steps back reverently, on seeing MARGARET.)

For Martha Schwerdtlein I’d inquire!

MARTHA