MME. FLACHE A little. But reason comes when one is young no longer, and I have nothing to complain of. My business is very prosperous. DR. PELLERIN You are making money, then? They tell me that you are giving dainty little dinners. MME. FLACHE I believe you, and I have a particularly good _chef_. Won't you give me the pleasure of entertaining you at dinner one of these days, my dear Doctor? DR. PELLERIN Very willingly, my dear. MME. FLACHE Shall I have any other physicians, or do you prefer to come alone? DR. PELLERIN Alone, if you please. I am not fond of a third party. [_The bell rings._] MUSOTTE [_awakens_] Ah, some one rang, run and see. [_Exit_ Mme. Flache. _A short silence._] A VOICE [_without_] Madame Henriette Lévêque? MUSOTTE [_emitting an anguished cry_] Ah, it is he! There he is! [_Makes an effort to rise. Enter_ Jean Martinel.] Jean! Jean! At last! [_Springs up and stretches her arms to him._] SCENE III. (_The same,--with_ Jean Martinel.) JEAN [_comes rapidly forward, kneels near the long steamer-chair, and kisses_ Musotte's _hands_] My poor little Musotte! [_They begin to weep and dry their eyes; then they remain silent and motionless. At last_ Jean _rises and holds up his hand to_ Dr. Pellerin.] PELLERIN Did I do well? JEAN You did indeed, and I thank you. PELLERIN [_introduces them_] Madame Flache, the midwife--the nurse--[_indicates the cradle with a grave gesture_] and there! JEAN [_approaches the cradle and lifts the little curtain, takes up the child and kisses it on the mouth; then lays it down again_] He is a splendid boy! DR. PELLERIN A very pretty child. MME. FLACHE A superb morsel--one of my prettiest. JEAN [_in a low voice_] And Musotte, how is she? MUSOTTE [_who has heard him_] I,--I am almost lost. I know surely that all is over. [_To_ Jean.] Take that little chair, dear, and seat yourself near me, and let us talk as long as I am able to speak. I have so many things to say to you, for we shall never be together any more. I am so glad to see you again that nothing else now seems of any importance. JEAN [_approaching her_] Don't agitate yourself. Don't get excited. MUSOTTE How can I help being agitated at seeing you again? JEAN [_sits on the low chair, takes_ Musotte's _hand_] My poor Musotte, I cannot tell you what a shock it was to me when I learned just now that you were so ill. MUSOTTE And on this day of all days! It must have shocked you greatly. JEAN What! Do you know of it then? MUSOTTE Yes, since I felt so ill, I kept myself informed about you every day, in order that I might not pass away without having seen you and spoken to you again, for I have so much to say to you. [_At a sign from_ Jean, Mme. Flache, Pellerin, _and_ La Babin _exit_ R.] SCENE IV. (Musotte _and_ Jean.) MUSOTTE Then you received the letter? JEAN Yes. MUSOTTE And you came immediately? JEAN Certainly. MUSOTTE