GEORGE. Well, this was a decent girl with a family in needy circumstances to support. Her grandmother was an invalid, and there was an ailing father and three little brothers. It was by my means that they all lived. They used to call me Uncle Raoul—I was not so green as to give my real name, you see. DOCTOR. Oh! Your Christian name, well—besides, it is always safer. GEORGE. Why, of course. I told her and I let the others know that if she played me false I should leave her at once. So then they all watched her for me. It became a regular thing that I should spend Sunday with them, and in that sort of way I was able to give her a lift up. Church-going was a respectable kind of outing for her. I rented a pew for them and her mother used to go with her to church; they liked seeing their name engraved on the card. She never left the house alone. Three months ago, when the question of my marriage came up, I had to leave her. They all cried over my going. I’m not inventing or exaggerating: they all cried. You see, I’m not a bad sort. People do regret me. DOCTOR. You were very happy. Why did you want to change? GEORGE [_surprised at the question_] I wanted to settle down. My father was a notary, and before his death he expressed the wish that I should marry my cousin. It was a good match; her dowry will help to get me a practice. Besides, I simply adore her. She’s fond of me too. I had everything one could want to make life happy. My acquaintances all envied me. [_Miserably_] And then a lot of idiots must give me a farewell dinner and make me gad about with them. See what has come of it! I haven’t any luck, I’ve never had any luck! I know fellows who lead the most racketty lives: nothing happens to them, the beasts! But I—for a wretched lark—What is there left for a leper like me? My future is ruined, my whole life poisoned. Well then, isn’t it better for me to clear out of it? Anyway I shan’t suffer any more. You see now, no one could be more wretched than I am. [_Crying_] No one, doctor, I tell you, no one! [_He buries his face in his handkerchief_] Oh, oh, oh! DOCTOR [_rising and going to him with a smile_] You must be a man, and not cry like a child. GEORGE [_still in tears_] If I had led a wild life and spent my time in bars and going about with women, I should understand: I should say I deserved it. DOCTOR. No. GEORGE. No? DOCTOR. No. You would not say so: but it doesn’t matter. Go on.