MARCEL. Perhaps! But I think I adore you! Every time I leave you, I feel so lonely; I wander about like a lost soul! I think something must be happening to you. And when I come home at midnight, and open the door, I feel an exquisite sensation--Is that love? You ought to know--you are an adept! FRANÇOISE. Perhaps. MARCEL [_unthinkingly_]. You know, Françoise, one can never be sure of one's self. FRANÇOISE. Of course! MARCEL. No one can say, "I love to-day, and I shall love to-morrow." You or any one else. FRANÇOISE [_offended_]. I? MARCEL. How can you tell, whether in fifteen years--? FRANÇOISE. Oh, I'm a little child--I'm different from the others: I shall always love the same man all his life. But go on, you were saying? MARCEL. Nothing. I want you to be happy, in spite of everything, no matter what may happen--no matter what I may do. FRANÇOISE. Even if you should deceive me? MARCEL [_tenderly_]. Deceive you? Never! I care nothing about other women! You are my happiness--not a mere pastime. FRANÇOISE. Alas! MARCEL. Why alas? FRANÇOISE. Because it is easier to do without happiness than pleasure. MARCEL [_tenderly_]. Oh, you are all that is highest and best in my life. I prefer you to everything else! Let a woman come between us, and she shall have me to deal with! Call it selfishness, if you will, or egotism--but your peace of mind is an absolute necessity to me! FRANÇOISE. You need not prepare me for the future, you bad boy: I resigned myself to "possibilities" some time ago. I'm inexperienced and young in years, but I'm older than you. MARCEL. Shall I tell you something? I never deserved you! FRANÇOISE. That's true. MARCEL. When I think how happy you might have made some good and worthy man, and that-- FRANÇOISE. Who then would have made me happy? MARCEL. You are not happy now. FRANÇOISE. I didn't marry for happiness; I married in order to have you. MARCEL. I'm a fool! It would be nice, wouldn't it, if I were an unfaithful husband! FRANÇOISE. I'm sure you will never be that. MARCEL. Do you really think so? FRANÇOISE. I am positive. What would be the use in deceiving me? I should be so unhappy, and you wouldn't be a bit happier. MARCEL. You are right. FRANÇOISE. No, you will not deceive me. To begin with, I have great luck. MARCEL [_gayly_]. Of course, you have; you don't know how much! FRANÇOISE [_coquettishly_]. Tell me! MARCEL. What a child you are!