[Eleonora hangs her head, crushed, with her arms over her breast.]
ELEONORA. But I—I left money there, beside the—
ELIS. You left the money? You paid for it, then?
ELEONORA. Yes and no. It's provoking, but I haven't done anything wrong—I meant well—do you believe me?
ELIS. I believe you, little sister—but the newspapers don't know that you are innocent.
ELEONORA. Dear me! Then I must suffer for this also. [She bends her head forward; her hair falls over her face.] What do they want to do with me now? Let them do what they will!
BENJAMIN [Enters from L., beside himself]. No, no. You mustn't touch her. She hasn't done any harm—I know it—as it was I—I—I—[He breaks down] who did it.
ELEONORA. Don't believe what he is saying—it was I.
ELIS. What shall I believe—whom shall I believe?
BENJAMIN. Me!