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THE THIRD ACT
SCENE: _A street. At the right the entrance to the synagogue, with steps and a portico. At the left the house of AARON, before which are some chairs, in the shade of an awning. Some trees and shrubs give a grateful contrast to the surroundings of SACHEL'S house, seen in ACT I._
_The final chant of a Jewish service is heard within the synagogue.
Enter REBECCA, flushed from her interview with RAFAEL, as the chant ends, and among others, AARON comes out of the synagogue._
AARON.
Ah, you've come back! Did you find Esther at home?
REBECCA.
No; you knew she would not be at home!
AARON.
Eh! After you had gone, my dear, there I saw her, going into the synagogue.
_Enter ROSA; she looks about anxiously._
Well, how did you--how did you get on?
REBECCA.
[_Angrily, seeing ROSA._] I----
AARON.
[_Seeing ROSA._] 's.h.!.+ It's all arranged, my girl! You wanted him; now you have him. Are you happy?
REBECCA.
[_Her eyes on ROSA, with growing malevolence._] Yes.
AARON.
Go in. Rafael is coming here, and the Rabbi--a quiet talk. Make yourself look well; the boy's a little high-strung, you know.
By-and-by we will go out by the shop door; we will come round this way and join them. We must use tact. Will you come in?
REBECCA.
[_Still facing ROSA._] In a moment. [_Exit AARON._
ROSA.
[_Overcoming a reluctance._] Have you seen Rafael?
REBECCA.
He's not here. [_Malignantly._] He went home again.
ROSA.
Do you speak the truth?
REBECCA.
If I spoke all the truth I know you would not stay to hear it!
ROSA.
All the truth you know would not take long to tell! [_Exit._
REBECCA.
She hates me! She shall hate me more!
[_Exit into the house._
_Enter SACHEL and ESTHER from the synagogue; she looks about._
SACHEL.
You do not see him?
ESTHER.
Not yet.
SACHEL.
He won't come; he suspects that the Rabbi will try to influence him.
_Enter SAMSON and DANIEL._
ESTHER.
He said he would walk home with us. Good afternoon, have you seen Rafael?
DANIEL.
Good afternoon. [_To SAMSON._] _Have_ we seen Rafael!
SAMSON.