However, I soon became aware that he was indifferent to me, for he used to kiss me as a matter of course and look at me without realizing my presence; and in his manners, in his actions, in his conversation, he showed that I attracted him no longer. As soon as he came into the room he would throw himself upon the sofa, take up the newspaper, read it, shrug his shoulders, and when he read anything he did not agree with, he would express his annoyance audibly. Finally, one day, he yawned and stretched his arms in my face. On that day I understood that I was no longer loved. Keenly mortified I certainly was. But it hurt me so much that I did not realize it was necessary to coquet with him in order to retain his affection. I soon learned that he had a mistress, a woman of the world. Since then we have lived separate lives--after a very stormy explanation. JACQUES DE RANDOL What do you mean? What sort of explanation? MME. DE SALLUS Well-- JACQUES DE RANDOL About--his mistress? MME. DE SALLUS Yes and no. I find it difficult to express myself. To avoid my suspicions he found himself obliged, doubtless, to dissimulate from time to time, although rarely, and to feign a certain affection for his legitimate wife, the woman who had the right to his affection. I told him that he might abstain in future from such a mockery of love. JACQUES DE RANDOL How did you tell him that? MME. DE SALLUS I don't remember. JACQUES DE RANDOL It must have been amusing. MME. DE SALLUS No, he appeared very much surprised at first. Then I formulated a nice little speech and learned it by heart, in which I asked him to carry such intermittent fancies elsewhere. He understood me, saluted me very courteously, and--did as I asked him. JACQUES DE RANDOL Did he never come back? MME. DE SALLUS Never, until-- JACQUES DE RANDOL [_interrupts_] Has he never again tried to tell you of his love? MME. DE SALLUS No, never, until-- JACQUES DE RANDOL [_interrupts_] Have you regretted it? MME. DE SALLUS That is of small importance. What is of importance, though, is that he has had innumerable mistresses whom he entertains, whom he supports, whom he takes out. It is this that has irritated and humiliated me--in fact, cut me to the quick. But then I took heart of grace, and too late, two years too late, I took a lover--you! JACQUES DE RANDOL [_kisses her hand_] And I, Madeline, I love you with my whole soul. MME. DE SALLUS Well, all this is not at all proper. JACQUES DE RANDOL What do you mean by “all this”? MME. DE SALLUS Life in general--my husband--his mistresses--myself--and you. JACQUES DE RANDOL Your words--prove beyond a doubt that you do not love me. MME. DE SALLUS Why? JACQUES DE RANDOL You dare to say of love that it is not proper? If you loved me, it might be divine, but a loving woman would abhor a phrase which should contain such an idea. What! True love not proper? MME. DE SALLUS