Eloise [smiling gloriously upon him]. Of what, my friend? Tell me of what?
Valsin [explosively]. Of myself! I am afraid of myself because I am a prophet. This is precisely what I foretold to myself you would do! I knew it, yet I am aghast when it happens—aghast at my own cleverness!
Eloise [bewildered to blankness]. What?
Valsin [half hysterical with outrageous vanity]. I swear I knew it, and it fits so exactly that I am afraid of myself! Aha, Valsin, you rogue! I should hate to have you on my track! Citizen governess, you are a wonderful person, but not so wonderful as this devil of a Valsin!
Eloise [vaguely, in a dead voice]. I cannot understand what you are talking about. Do you mean—
Valsin. And what a spell was upon me! I was near calling Dossonville to preserve me.
Eloise [speaking with a strange naturalness, like a child's]. You mean—you don't want me?
Valsin. Ah, Heaven help me, I am going to laugh again! Oh, ho, ho! I am spent! [He drops into a chair and gives way to another attack of uproarious hilarity.] Ah, ha, ha, ha! Oh, my liver, ha, ha! No, Citizeness, I do not want you! Oh, ha, ha, ha!
Eloise. Oh! [She utters a choked scream and rushes at him.] Swine!
Valsin [warding her off with outstretched hands]. Spare me! Ha, ha, ha! I am helpless! Ho, ho, ho! Citizeness, it would not be worth your while to strangle a man who is already dying!