HOST. I really don't know who's to take your place here. Not a single one of my people has such precious inspirations as you have, not one of them is so popular with my audience as you ... don't go away. HENRI. I can quite believe that no one will take my place. HOST. Stay by me, Henri. (Throws LEOCADIE a look; she intimates that she will arrange matters.) HENRI. And I can promise you that they will take my departure to heart--they, not I. For tonight--for my final appearance I have reserved something that will make them all shudder ... a foreboding of the end of this world will come over them ... for the end of their world is nigh. But I shall only experience it from a safe distance ... they will tell us about it out there, Leocadie, many days after it has happened.... But I tell you, they will shudder. And you yourself will say, "Henri has never played so well." HOST. What are you going to play? What? Do you know what, Leocadie? LEOCADIE. I never know anything. HENRI. But has anyone any idea of what an artist lies hidden within me? HOST. They certainly have an idea, and that's why I tell you that a man with a talent such as yours doesn't go and bury himself in the country. What an injustice to yourself! and to Art! HENRI. I don't care a straw about Art. I wish for quiet. You don't understand that, Prosper; you have never loved-- HOST. Oh! HENRI. As I love. I want to be alone with her--that's the only way ... that's the only way, Leocadie, of forgetting everything. But then we shall be happier than human beings have ever been before. We shall have children; you will be a good mother, Leocadie, and a true wife. All the past, all the past will be blotted out. (Great pause.) LEOCADIE. 'Tis getting late, Henri. I must go to the theatre. Farewell, Prosper; I am glad at last to have seen your famous den, the place where Henri scores such triumphs. HOST. But why did you never come? LEOCADIE. Henri would not let me--because I should have to sit next to the young men, you know. HENRI (has gone to the back). Give me a drink, Scaevola. (He drinks.) HOST (to LEOCADIE, when HENRI is out of hearing). Henri is an arrant fool--if you had only sat next to them! LEOCADIE. Now then! no remarks of that sort. HOST. Take my tip and be careful, you silly gutter-brat. He will kill you one of these days. LEOCADIE. What's up, then? HOST. You were seen only yesterday with one of your fellows. LEOCADIE. That was not a fellow, you blockhead; that was-- HENRI (turns round quickly). What's the matter with you? No jokes, if you don't mind. No more whispering. No more secrets now. She is my wife. HOST. What did you give her for a wedding present? LEOCADIE. Heavens! he never thinks about such things. HENRI. Well, you shall have one this very night. LEOCADIE. What? SCAEVOLA and JULES. What are you going to give her? HENRI (quite seriously). When you have finished your scene, you must come here and see me act. (They laugh.)