DUPONT. Yes; I did misrepresent matters a little. You see Caroline would never have agreed to meet Angèle if she had known that it was she who needed Angèle’s presence, not Angèle hers. Angèle is the executor under the will. In fact, it is she who is doing us a service. But if we go into all that we shall never be done. Well, I say to her: ’My child, I thank you for having come. Let us not speak of the past. I only wish to remember one thing, that you have not visited upon your sister Caroline the resentment which doubtless I inspire in you. I am grateful to you.’ What do you think of that? [_The maid comes in_]. Good heavens, here she is! [_Pointing to the papers, account books, etc., which lie on the table_] And that fool Courthezon has never taken away the books. [_To the maid_] Wait a minute. [_To Madame Dupont_] Come, come this way. You can tell me whether I ought to make any change. [_In a low voice to the maid_] Ask her to wait a moment. Say I am engaged. [_He goes out with Madame Dupont. The maid shows in Angèle. She is a woman of thirtyfive, dressed in black, very quietly, but fashionably_]. MAID. Monsieur is engaged, but I don’t think he will be long. Whom shall I say, madame? ANGÈLE. Madame Angèle Dupont. MAID. Madame has the same name as monsieur? ANGÈLE. The same. MAID. Will madame please be seated? [_She takes some books off a chair and goes out_]. ANGÈLE [_with a gesture of despondency, to herself_] Nothing is as it used to be. Nothing. _Courthezon comes in._ COURTHEZON. M. Dupont asks you to be good enough to wait five minutes, madame. ANGÈLE. Certainly, monsieur. [_Courthezon collects the books and papers, looking at Angèle the while out of the corner of his eye. He makes as if to go_]. You are M. Courthezon, are you not? COURTHEZON [_much embarrassed_] Yes, madame—Mlle. Angèle. You remember me? You have a good memory. Especially as I am not quite myself just now. I have many things to worry me. But that is a long story. [_He stands facing her, the books and papers under his arm_]. I recognized you at once. M. Dupont told me. ANGÈLE. My father is well in health? COURTHEZON [_embarrassed_] Quite well. They are all quite well. You, too, if I may judge by your looks? ANGÈLE. Quite. Thank you. COURTHEZON. And you have come about this legacy? ANGÈLE. Yes. [_A silence_]. COURTHEZON. You must find some changes down here? ANGÈLE. Very many. I hardly know the place. COURTHEZON. We have moved since you went away. The house where the press used to be was pulled down when the Rue de l’Arbre-à-Poires was rebuilt. ANGÈLE [_looking round her_] They have altered the furniture in the drawing room. COURTHEZON. That was ten years ago. ANGÈLE [_sadly_] If I had come here without warning, I shouldn’t have known I was in my father’s house. COURTHEZON. It is so long since you left. You must feel it very much, the idea that you are to see him again?