_Marquis_--And you brought him by chance. [_He rings_.] You are a mother to me. [_To Dubois_.] You will find an ecclesiastic in Madame's carriage. Tell him I'm much obliged for his kind alacrity, but I think I won't die this morning. _Baroness_--O Marquis! what would our friends say if they heard you? _Marquis_--Bah! I'm the black sheep of the party, its spoiled child; that's taken for granted. Dubois, you may say also that Madame begs the Abbé to drive home, and to send her carriage back for her. _Baroness_--Allow me-- _Marquis_--Go along, Dubois.--Now you are my prisoner. _Baroness_--But, Marquis, this is very unconventional. _Marquis [kissing her hand_]--Flatterer! Now sit down, and let's talk about serious things. _[Taking a newspaper from the table_.] The gout hasn't kept me from reading the news. Do you know that poor Déodat's death is a serious mishap? _Baroness_--What a loss to our cause! _Marquis_--I have wept for him. _Baroness_--Such talent! Such spirit! Such sarcasm! _Marquis_--He was the hussar of orthodoxy. He will live in history as the angelic pamphleteer. And now that we have settled his noble ghost-- _Baroness_--You speak very lightly about it, Marquis. _Marquis_--I tell you I've wept for him.--Now let's think of some one to replace him. _Baroness_--Say to succeed him. Heaven doesn't create two such men at the same time. _Marquis_--What if I tell you that I have found such another? Yes, Baroness, I've unearthed a wicked, cynical, virulent pen, that spits and splashes; a fellow who would lard his own father with epigrams for a consideration, and who would eat him with salt for five francs more. _Baroness_--Déodat had sincere convictions. _Marquis_--That's because he fought for them. There are no more mercenaries. The blows they get convince them. I'll give this fellow a week to belong to us body and soul. _Baroness_--If you haven't any other proofs of his faithfulness-- _Marquis_--But I have. _Baroness_--Where from? _Marquis_--Never mind. I have it. _Baroness_--And why do you wait before presenting him? _Marquis_--For him in the first place, and then for his consent. He lives in Lyons, and I expect him to-day or to-morrow. As soon as he is presentable, I'll introduce him. _Baroness_--Meanwhile, I'll tell the committee of your find. _Marquis_--I beg you, no. With regard to the committee, dear Baroness, I wish you'd use your influence in a matter which touches me. _Baroness_--I have not much influence-- _Marquis_--Is that modesty, or the exordium of a refusal? _Baroness_--If either, it's modesty. _Marquis_--Very well, my charming friend. Don't you know that these gentlemen owe you too much to refuse you anything? _Baroness_--Because they meet in my parlor? _Marquis_--That, yes; but the true, great, inestimable service you render every day is to possess such superb eyes. _Baroness_--It's well for you to pay attention to such things!