SUZANNE. A moment ago I didn’t see what you meant—— ROGER. No, stay, stay! There’s no better place than this. I have so much to tell you. My heart is so full! I don’t know why I tell you all this—It’s true—It’s so good to say these things—Ah, Suzanne—stay! Dear Suzanne—(_He holds her_) SUZANNE. No, I beg you! ROGER. _You?_[6] [6] She uses the formal “vous.” SUZANNE. (_More and more troubled_) I—beg you—— ROGER. But _only_ a moment ago—— SUZANNE. Yes, but now—— ROGER. Why? SUZANNE. I don’t know, I—— ROGER. You’re crying! Have I hurt you? SUZANNE. No! No! ROGER. Have I offended you, without knowing it? SUZANNE. No, no,—I don’t know. I don’t understand. Please, let’s go away from here! ROGER. Suzanne!—I don’t understand!—I can’t see! (_The_ DUCHESS _appears_.) DUCHESS. And do you know why? It is because neither of you can see what’s as clear as day! (_She turns up the gas_) There! ROGER. Aunt! DUCHESS. My dear children, how happy you make me! Go on, kiss your bride! ROGER. (_Not understanding at first_) My bride—Suzanne! (_He looks at his aunt, then at_ SUZANNE) Ohh! It’s true,—I love her! DUCHESS. (_Joyously_) Nonsense! Even when it’s as clear as day? (_To_ SUZANNE) And how about you? SUZANNE. (_With downcast eyes_) Oh, Aunt! DUCHESS. It seemed—that you could see all the time! Women’s eyes are a little better than men’s, eh? That idea of mine to turn down the gas was splendid. So everything’s going nicely now? Well, there is only your mother to see! ROGER. What? DUCHESS. Oh, it will be a little difficult!—Here she is! Here they all come—The whole tragedy! Shh! Not a word! Leave everything in my hands, I’ll take care of it. What’s all this? (_Enter_ MADAME DE CÉRAN, DES MILLETS, _surrounded by ladies, the_ GENERAL, BELLAC, LUCY, MADAME DE LOUDAN, MADAME ARRIÉGO, PAUL _and_ JEANNE; _and the others_.) MME. DE CÉRAN. Great news, Aunt! DUCHESS. What? MME. DE CÉRAN. Revel is dead! DUCHESS. You’re fooling! MME. DE CÉRAN. It’s in the evening papers. Look! (_She hands her a paper_) DUCHESS. Well—(_Takes the paper and reads it_) MME. ARRIÉGO. (_To the Poet_) Beautiful, superb! MME. DE LOUDAN. Beautiful! Inspired! GENERAL. Remarkable! One excellent line! Des Millets. Oh, General! GENERAL. Yes, indeed! An excellent line! “The”—how does it go? “Honor is like a god which hath one altar only!” PAUL. (_To_ JEANNE) A trifle too many feet! BELLAC. (_To_ LUCY, _after looking at paper_) He died at six o’clock! SAINT-RÉAULT. (_To his wife, showing her paper_) Yes, at six o’clock. Oh, I have M. Toulonnier’s promise! BELLAC. (_To_ LUCY) Toulonnier gave me a formal promise—— MME. DE CÉRAN. (_To the_ DUCHESS) Toulonnier is on our side. DUCHESS. Well, where is your Toulonnier? SAINT-RÉAULT. He just received a telegram. MME. DE CÉRAN. (_Aside_) That confirms the appointment. Good!—But why—? (_Enter_ TOULONNIER) Ah—At last! ALL. It’s he! Ah! Ah!