FRANCOIS. Nothing much. An incendiary's playing over there, 'twould appear. SEVERINE. Chevalier, you must be the cousin of the little Lydia de la Tremouille who was married today. ALBIN. Quite so, Marquise; that was one of the reasons why I came to Paris. SEVERINE. I remember having seen you in the church. ALBIN (embarrassed). I am highly flattered, Marquise. SEVERINE (to ROLLIN). What a dear little boy! ROLLIN. My dear Severine, you have never yet managed to know a man without his pleasing you. SEVERINE. Indeed I did; and what is more, I married him straight away. ROLLIN. I am always so afraid, Severine--I am sure there are moments when it's not safe for you to be with your own husband. HOST (brings wine). There you are. I wish it were poison; but for the time being, the law won't let us serve it to you, you scum. FRANCOIS. The time'll soon come, Prosper. SEVERINE (to ROLLIN). What is the matter with both those pretty girls? Why don't they come nearer? Now that we once are here, I want to join in everything. I really think that everything is extremely moral here. MARQUIS. Have patience, Severine. SEVERINE. I think nowadays one diverts oneself best in the streets. Do you know what happened to us yesterday when we went for a drive in the Promenade de Longchamps? MARQUIS. Please, please, my dear Severine, why-- SEVERINE. A fellow jumped onto the footboard of our carriage and shouted, "Next year you will stand behind your coachman and we shall be sitting in the carriages." FRANCOIS. Hm! That is rather strong. MARQUIS. Odds life! I don't think one ought to talk of such things. Paris is now somewhat feverish, but that will soon pass off again. GUILLAUME (suddenly). I see flames--flames everywhere I look--red, high flames. HOST (to him). You're playing a madman, not a criminal. SEVERINE. Does he see flames? FRANCOIS. But all this is still not the real thing. Marquise. ALBIN (to ROLLIN). I cannot tell you how bewildered I feel already with everything. MICHETTE (comes to the MARQUIS). I have not yet greeted you, darling, you dear old pig. MARQUIS (embarrassed). She jests, dear Severine. SEVERINE. It does not look that way. Tell me, little one, how many love-affairs have you had so far? MARQUIS (to FRANCOIS). It is really wonderful how well my wife the Marquise knows how to adapt herself to every situation. ROLLIN. Yes, it is wonderful. MICHETTE. Have you counted yours? SEVERINE. When I was still as young as you ... of course ... ALBIN (to ROLLIN). Tell me, M. Rollin, is the Marquise joking, or is she really like--? I positively can't make it out. ROLLIN. Reality ... playing ... do you know the difference so exactly. Chevalier? ALBIN. At any rate ...