COUNT—Why? What’s this for?
PAULA—It’s your money.
COUNT—No.... It belonged to Juhasz ... and if he gave it to you ... and
you accepted it....
PAULA—I didn’t accept it.... I was too overcome to speak. This money
means to him his shop, his future, the honor of his name ... and yet he
tossed it to me without a moment’s hesitation. I never knew a man could
love like that.
COUNT—What are you going to do with it?
PAULA—Give it back to him, of course.
COUNT—I wouldn’t do that.... He’d only try to give it back to you again,
or tear it up, or throw it away.... The man’s in love with you, you
know. ... I think it were wiser to send the money at once by telegraph
to the attorney for his creditors. Then we’ll be sure he will reap the
benefit of it. We must give him back his shop ... by force ... if that’s
the only way he’ll have it.
PAULA—You are right. You are perfectly right. I’ll give the money to the
cashier myself, and have him send it right off.
COUNT—I would.... Have you been crying, Paula?
PAULA—It wasn’t exactly amusing ... to have him offer to make a sacrifice
like that ... after all we had done to deceive him. [_JUHASZ enters at
right. He is carrying his hat and umbrella._]
JUHASZ—Doubtless your excellency knows everything. [_PAULA exits at
left._]
COUNT—No, Juhasz. All I know is that you got some money from Berlin.
JUHASZ—[_Proudly, firmly._] Yes, and thank God it came in time to rescue
that poor girl from your dishonorable attentions. She doesn’t need your
money now. She has mine, mine that was earned by hard, honest labor.
COUNT—Juhasz!
JUHASZ—I’m sorry to be compelled to speak to you like this, excellency.
God knows I am grateful to you for all you have done for me, but I am
leaving your house, and Paula is coming with me.
COUNT—She is going with you?
JUHASZ—Yes, your excellency.
COUNT—Do you think it wise to give her all your money?
JUHASZ—It was my own money. I do what I want with it.
COUNT—My dear Juhasz, you are riding a very high horse. I mention it only
because the fall is apt to be painful. Have you made sure that lady has
accepted your generous gift? [_PAULA enters quietly at left._]
JUHASZ—I don’t know what you mean.
COUNT—Perhaps it would be best to ask her.
JUHASZ—Paula, his excellency ... just said something ... I didn’t
understand.
PAULA—I couldn’t take it, Mr. Juhasz.... I couldn’t....
JUHASZ—Couldn’t take it?
PAULA—I have sent the money to Budapest ... by telegraph ... to the
attorney for your creditors. [_There is a pause. The COUNT exits at back
on tiptoe._] You didn’t give me a chance to speak before.... I appreciate
what you tried to do for me ... any woman would ... but I couldn’t let
you ruin yourself on my account.
JUHASZ—[_Puts the worst construction on her refusal._] He can give you
more.... That’s true enough! [_She does not answer. There is a pause.
SANTHA enters at back. Behind him comes PHILIP._]