FeLIAT. All right, all right, I am speaking about later on. Well, you've seen Monsieur Baudoin and Monsieur Gambard--

THeReSE. I haven't the slightest intention of--

FeLIAT [_interrupting_] There's no question of anything immediate. But for a person as wise and sensible as you are, the position of both the one and the other deserves--

THeReSE. I know them both.

FeLIAT. Yes; but--

THeReSE. Now look here. If I had two hundred thousand francs, would you suggest that I should marry either of them?

FeLIAT. Certainly not.

THeReSE. There, you see.

FeLIAT. But you've _not_ got two hundred thousand francs.

THeReSE [_without showing any anger or annoyance_] The last thing I want is to be exacting. But really, Monsieur Feliat, think for a minute. If I were to marry a man I could not possibly love, I should marry him for his money. [_Looking straight at him_] And in that case the only difference between me and the women I am not supposed to know anything about would be that a little ceremony had been performed over me and not over them. Don't you agree with me?

FeLIAT. But, my dear, you say such extraordinary things.

THeReSE. Well, do you consider that less dishonoring than working?

Honestly now, do you? I think that the best thing about women earning their living is that it'll save them from being put into exactly that position.

FeLIAT. The right thing for woman is marriage. That's her proper position.

THeReSE. It's sometimes an unhappy one. [_A maid comes in bringing a card to Therese, who says_] Ask the lady kindly to wait a moment.

MAID. Yes, Mademoiselle. [_The maid goes out_]

FeLIAT. Well, I'm off. I shall go and see Rene. Then you'll write to him?

THeReSE. This very evening.

FeLIAT. He'll want to see you. My child, will you have the courage to resist him?

THeReSE. You needn't trouble about that.

FeLIAT. If he was mad enough to want to do without his parents' consent, they wish me to tell you that they would never speak to him again.

THeReSE. I see.

FeLIAT. That he would be a stranger to them. You understand all that that means?

THeReSE [_discouraged_] Yes, yes; oh yes.

FeLIAT. If you are not strong enough to stand out against his entreaties, you will be his ruin.

THeReSE. I quite understand.

FeLIAT. People would think very badly of you.

THeReSE. Please don't say any more, I quite understand.

FeLIAT. Then I may trust you?

THeReSE. You may trust me.

FeLIAT [_fatherly and approving_] Thank you. [_He holds out his hand_]

Therese, you're--well--you're splendid. I like courage. I wish you success with all my heart. I really wish you success. But if, in the future, you should want a friend--the very strongest may find themselves in that position--let me be that friend.

THeReSE [_taking the hand which Feliat holds out to her_] I'm grateful, very grateful, Monsieur. Thank you. But I hope I shall be able to earn my own living. That is all I want.

FeLIAT. I wish you every success. Good-bye, Mademoiselle.

THeReSE. Good-bye, Monsieur. [_He goes out. She crosses to another door and brings in Madame Nerisse_] How good of you to come, dear Madame. Too bad you should have the trouble.

MADAME NeRISSE. Nonsense, my dear. I wanted to come. I'm so anxious to show you these two photographs and consult you about which we're to publish. I expected to find you very tired.

THeReSE. I am not the least tired, and I'm delighted to see you.

MADAME NeRISSE [_showing Therese the photographs_] This is more brilliant, that's more dreamy. I like this one. What do you think?

THeReSE. I like this one too.

MADAME NeRISSE. Then that's settled. [_Putting down the photographs_]

What a success you had this evening.

THeReSE. Yes; people are very kind. [_Seriously_] I'm so glad you've come just now, dear Madame, so that we can have a few minutes' quiet talk. I have something most important to say to you.

MADAME NeRISSE. Anything I can do for you?

THeReSE. Well, I'll explain. And please do talk to me quite openly and frankly.

MADAME NeRISSE. I will indeed.

THeReSE. You told me that my article was very much liked. I can quite believe that you may have exaggerated a little out of kindness to me. I want to know really whether you think I write well.

MADAME NeRISSE. Dear Therese, ask Madame Gueret to tell you what I said to her just now about that very thing.

THeReSE. Then you think my collaboration might be really useful to _Feminine Art_?

MADAME NeRISSE. There's nothing more useful to a paper like ours than the collaboration of girls in society.

THeReSE. Would you like me to send you some more stories like the first?

MADAME NeRISSE. As many as you can.

THeReSE. And--[_She hesitates a moment_] and would you pay me the same price for them as for the one you've just published?