SEVERINE (to ROLLIN). Would you not like to let me join in the competition! ROLLIN. I protest you will drive me mad, Severine. MARQUIS. Severine, had we not better be going now? I think-- SEVERINE. Oh, no. I am enjoying myself excellently. (To ROLLIN.) Ah well, my mood is getting so-- MICHETTE. How did you get hold of the garter? MAURICE. There was such a crush in the church--and when a lady thinks one is courting her-- (All laugh.) [GRAIN has stolen FRANCOIS'S purse.] FRANCOIS (showing the money to ALBIN). Mere counters. Are you satisfied now? [GRAIN wants to get away.] HOST (going after him softly). Give me the purse at once which you took from this gentleman. GRAIN. I-- HOST. Straightaway ... or it will be the worse for you. GRAIN. You need not be churlish. (Gives it to him.) HOST. And stay here. I have no time to search you now. Who knows what else you have pouched. Go back to your place. FLIPOTTE. I shall win the garter. HOST (throwing the purse to FRANCOIS). Here's your purse. You lost it out of your pocket. FRANCOIS. I thank you, Prosper. (To ALBIN.) You see, we are in reality in the company of most respectable people. [HENRI, who has already been present for some time and has sat behind, suddenly stands up.] ROLLIN. Henri--there is Henri. SEVERINE. Is he the one you told me so much about? MARQUIS. Assuredly. The man one really comes here to see. [HENRI comes to the front of the stage, very theatrically; is silent.] THE ACTORS. Henri, what ails you? ROLLIN. Observe the look. A world of passion. You see, he is playing the man who commits a crime of passion. SEVERINE. I prize that highly. ALBIN. But why does he not speak? ROLLIN. He is beside himself. Just watch. Pay attention.... He has wrought a fearful deed somewhere. FRANCOIS. He is somewhat theatrical. It looks as though he were going to get ready for a monologue. HOST. Henri, Henri, where do you come from? HENRI. I have murdered. ROLLIN. What did I say? SCAEVOLA. Whom? HENRI. The lover of my wife. [PROSPER looks at him; at this moment he obviously has the feeling that it might be true.] HENRI (looks up). Well, yes, I've done it. What are you looking at me like that for? That's how the matter stands. Is it, then, so wonderful after all? You all know what kind of a creature my wife is; it was bound to end like that. HOST. And she--where is she? FRANCOIS. See, the host takes it seriously. You notice how realistic that makes the thing. [Noise outside--not too loud.] JULES. What noise is that outside? MARQUIS. Do you hear, Severine? ROLLIN. It sounds as though troops were marching by. FRANCOIS. Oh, no; it is our dear people of Paris. Just listen how they bawl. (Uneasiness in the cellar; it grows quiet outside.) Go on, Henri--go on.