You must really believe it! [_Suddenly._] But who is the woman that attracts--and repels you--just now? M. DE SALLUS Madeline, I swear-- MME. DE SALLUS Oh, a truce to your swearing! I know that you have just broken with one of your mistresses; you need another and you cannot find one, so you come to me. For nearly three years you have forgotten all about me, so that now you find I am somewhat of a novelty. It is not your wife you are seeking now, but a woman with whom you have formerly had a rupture, and with whom you now desire to make up. To speak the truth you are simply playing the game of a libertine. M. DE SALLUS I do not ask you whether you be my wife or not my wife. You are the woman I love, the woman who possesses my heart. You are the woman of whom I dream, whose image follows me everywhere, whom I continually desire. It happens that you are my wife. So much the worse, or so much the better. What matters it? MME. DE SALLUS Truly, it is a distinguished part that you offer me. After Mademoiselle Zozo, after Mademoiselle Lilie, Mademoiselle Tata, you have the audacity to offer to your wife--to Madame de Sallus--the place left vacant, asking her to become her husband's mistress for a short space of time. M. DE SALLUS No; now, and--forever. MME. DE SALLUS Pardon me. You ask that I should re-become your wife forever? That is out of the question; I have already ceased to entertain the idea. The reason may be obscure, but nevertheless it is real; and after all, the idea of making me your _legitimate_ mistress seems to be far more entertaining to you than assuming the rôle of a _faithful_ husband. M. DE SALLUS [_laughs_] Well, why should not the wife become the husband's mistress? You are right in what you say; you are absolutely free and I own my faults. Yet, I am in love with you-for the second time, if you will-and I say to you, here and now, Madeline, since you confess that your heart is empty, have pity upon me, for I tell you that I love you. MME. DE SALLUS And you ask me to give you a husband's right? M. DE SALLUS I do. MME. DE SALLUS And you acknowledge that I am free, absolutely free? M. DE SALLUS I do. MME. DE SALLUS And you really wish me to become your mistress? M. DE SALLUS I do. MME. DE SALLUS You understand what I mean--your mistress? M. DE SALLUS Yes. MME. DE SALLUS [_sarcastically_] Well, well! I think I would rather accept another offer that I have, but since you are good enough to ask me to give you the preference, I may give it to you--for a fair sum. M. DE SALLUS What do you mean? MME. DE SALLUS Just what I say. Listen! Do you consider me as attractive as any of your mistresses? Now, be frank with me. M. DE SALLUS A thousand times more! MME. DE SALLUS Really! M. DE SALLUS I swear it! MME. DE SALLUS What, better than the best? M. DE SALLUS A thousand times! MME. DE SALLUS