FRANÇOISE. Then I'll have to lunch all by myself! [_Marcel stops an instant before the mirror._] You look lovely. MARCEL [_turning round_]. I-- FRANÇOISE. Oh, you'll succeed! [_A pause._] MARCEL [_enchanted, in spite of himself_]. What can you be thinking of! [_Aside._] What if she were after all my happiness? [_Reproachfully._] Now, Françoise-- FRANÇOISE. I was only joking. MARCEL [_ready to leave_]. No moping, remember? I can't have that! FRANÇOISE. I know! MARCEL [_tenderly. He stands at the threshold. Aside_]. Poor child! Well I may fail! [_He goes out, left._] FRANÇOISE [_sadly_]. Where is he going? Probably to a rendezvous. Oh, if he is! Will my luck fail me to-day? Soon he'll come back again, so well satisfied with himself! I talk to him so much about my resignation, I wonder whether he believes in it? Why must I be tormented this way forever? [_Enter Jean, with a visiting-card._] JEAN. Is Monsieur here? FRANÇOISE. Let me see! [_She takes the card._] JEAN. The gentleman is waiting, Madame. FRANÇOISE. Ask him to come in. Quick, now! [_Jean goes out._] [_Enter Guérin, at the back. As he sees Françoise he hesitates before coming to her._] FRANÇOISE [_cordially_]. Come in, Monsieur. I have never seen you, but I already know you very well. GUÉRIN [_a large, strong man, with grayish hair_]. Thank you, Madame. I thought I should find Monsieur Desroches at home. If you will excuse me-- FRANÇOISE. I beg you! GUÉRIN. I fear I am intruding: it's so early. FRANÇOISE. You intruding in Marcel's home? GUÉRIN. Madame-- FRANÇOISE. My husband will return soon, Monsieur. GUÉRIN [_brightening_]. Good! FRANÇOISE. Will you wait for him here in the studio? GUÉRIN [_advancing_]. Really, Madame, it would be most ungrateful of me to refuse your kindness. FRANÇOISE. Here are magazines and newspapers--I shall ask to be excused. [_As she is about to leave._] It was rather difficult to make you stay! GUÉRIN. Forgive me, Madame. [_Aside ironically._] Too bad! She's decidedly charming! [_Having gone up-stage, Françoise suddenly returns._] FRANÇOISE. It seems a little strange to you, Monsieur--doesn't it?--to see a woman in this bachelor studio--quite at home? GUÉRIN. Why, Madame-- FRANÇOISE. Before leaving you--which I shall do in a moment--you must know that there is one woman who is very glad to know you have returned to Paris! GUÉRIN. We just arrived this week. FRANÇOISE. Good! GUÉRIN [_ironically_]. It's so long since I've seen Marcel. FRANÇOISE. Three years. GUÉRIN. So many things have happened since! FRANÇOISE. You find him a married man, for one thing-- GUÉRIN. Happily married! FRANÇOISE. Yes, happily! GUÉRIN. Dear old Marcel! I'll be so glad to see him! FRANÇOISE. I see you haven't forgotten my husband, Monsieur. Thank you! GUÉRIN. How can I help admiring so stout and loyal a heart as his! FRANÇOISE. You'll have to like me, too! GUÉRIN. I already do.