What a pity! How I should love the intimacy of a small and carefully selected circle of men and women. MME. DE SALLUS You? M. DE SALLUS Yes, why not? MME. DE SALLUS [_laughs_] Ha, ha, ha! What a charming little intimate circle you would bring to me! Ha, ha, ha! The fascinating men, and the fashionable women that you would invite! My dear sir, it is I who would leave the house then. M. DE SALLUS My dear girl, I only asked for three or four women like yourself. MME. DE SALLUS Pray repeat that. M. DE SALLUS Three or four such women as you. MME. DE SALLUS If you need four, I can understand how you found your house lonesome. M. DE SALLUS You understand very well what I wish to say, and it is not necessary for me to explain myself. And you know that you need only be alone to please me better than I could possibly be pleased elsewhere. MME. DE SALLUS Really, I do not recognize you. I am afraid you must be ill--very ill. You are not going to die, are you? M. DE SALLUS Oh, chaff me as much as you like, you won't worry me. MME. DE SALLUS And is this mood of yours going to last? M. DE SALLUS Forever. MME. DE SALLUS Men often change. M. DE SALLUS [_turns to_ Jacques de Randol] My dear Randol, will you give us the pleasure of your company at dinner to-night? You may help me to turn aside the epigrams that my wife seems to have barbed and ready for me. JACQUES DE RANDOL A thousand thanks, my dear Sallus! You are very, very good, but unfortunately, I am not free. M. DE SALLUS But, my dear fellow, send your excuses. JACQUES DE RANDOL I cannot. M. DE SALLUS Are you dining in town? JACQUES DE RANDOL Yes, well--not altogether. I have an appointment at nine o'clock. M. DE SALLUS Is it very important? JACQUES DE RANDOL Very important M. DE SALLUS With a lady? JACQUES DE RANDOL My dear fellow, what a question! M. DE SALLUS Oh, I am discreet! But that need not prevent you from dining with us. JACQUES DE RANDOL Thank you, my dear fellow, I cannot. M. DE SALLUS You know you can go away when you wish. JACQUES DE RANDOL But I am not in evening dress. M. DE SALLUS I can easily send for your things. JACQUES DE RANDOL No, truly, thank you; I cannot. M. DE SALLUS [_to_ Mme. de Sallus] My dear girl, won't you keep Randol? MME. DE SALLUS Why ask me? You know that I have no influence over him. M. DE SALLUS You are charming enough to influence the world this evening, so why can't you make him stay? MME. DE SALLUS Good gracious! I cannot make my friends stay in order to please you, and keep them in your house against their wish. Bring _your_ friends. M. DE SALLUS Well, I shall remain at home this evening in any case, and we shall then be _tête-à-tête_. MME. DE SALLUS Really? M. DE SALLUS Yes. MME. DE SALLUS You will be at home all the evening? M. DE SALLUS All the evening. MME. DE SALLUS [_sarcastically_] Good gracious! How you surprise me--and how you honor me! M. DE SALLUS