SUZANNE. (_To_ BELLAC, _as he returns her handkerchief_) Oh, keep it, I’m going to get you a drink. MME. DE LOUDAN. (_Going toward the table before which_ SAINT-RÉAULT _spoke, upon which is a tray and glasses of sugar-and-water_) Here, drink! ROGER. (_Aside to the_ DUCHESS) Look, Aunt! DUCHESS. She’s too brazen about it to be in earnest. BELLAC. (_Aside to_ LUCY) And are you convinced? LUCY. Oh, for my part, the concept of love—No, I’ll tell you later! BELLAC. In a little while? LUCY. Yes—would you like a glass of water? (_She goes up-stage_) MME. DE LOUDAN. (_Arriving with a glass of water_) No! Let me! The god must pardon me: I can offer you only water, as the secret of Nectar-making is lost! MME. ARRIÉGO. (_Arriving with a glass of water_) A glass of water, Monsieur Bellac? MME. DE LOUDAN. No, no—take mine! Mine! MME. ARRIÉGO. No, mine! BELLAC. (_Embarrassed_) Well, I—— LUCY. (_Handing him a glass of water_) Here! MME. DE LOUDAN. Oh, he’ll choose Lucy, I know!—I’m so jealous!—No, mine! mine! SUZANNE. (_Arriving with another glass of water and forcing it upon_ BELLAC) No, no, he’ll take mine! Ha, ha! the fourth thief! LUCY. But, Mademoiselle—! MME. DE LOUDAN. (_Aside_) That little girl has impudence! ROGER. (_To the_ DUCHESS, _indicating_ SUZANNE) Aunt! DUCHESS. What’s the matter with her? ROGER. It’s just since Bellac has come! (_The doors are opened and the large drawing-room is seen, lighted._) DUCHESS. At last! (_To_ MADAME DE CÉRAN) Take away your company—now is your chance! MME. DE CÉRAN. Come, ladies, our tragedy is about to be read! In the large drawing-room! After the reading we shall take tea in the conservatory. LUCY, BELLAC _and_ SUZANNE. (_Aside_) In the conservatory! ROGER. (_Aside to the_ DUCHESS) Did you notice Suzanne? She started! DUCHESS. And so did Bellac! MME. DE LOUDAN. Come, ladies, the Muse is calling us. (_The guests pass slowly into the large drawing-room._) GENERAL. (_To_ PAUL) What is that, my dear Sub-prefect—three years! MME. DE CÉRAN. Come, General! GENERAL. (_Still talking with_ PAUL) Ah, yes, Countess, the tragedy!—You are right, one must encourage Art!—Five acts! Oh! JEANNE. (_To_ PAUL) It’s settled then, about—later? PAUL. Yes, yes, it’s settled. GENERAL. (_Returning to_ PAUL) Three years, you say, as Sub-prefect in the same place? And they say the government isn’t conservative! PAUL. That’s pretty good, Senator; excellent! GENERAL. Oh! TOULONNIER. (_To_ MADAME DE LOUDAN) That’s understood, Marquise! (_To_ MADAME ARRIÉGO) At your service, my dear madame! BELLAC. (_To_ TOULONNIER) Well, General Secretary, may I hope——? TOULONNIER. (_Giving him his hand_) It is merely what is due you; you may count on us! (_He goes off_) GENERAL. (_As he comes down to_ PAUL) And what is the spirit of your _Department_,[3] my dear Sub-prefect? By Jove, you ought to know it, after three years!