LUCIE. Yes. Then he’s spoken to his father and mother? ANNETTE. Some time ago. LUCIE. And they consent? ANNETTE. They are coming this afternoon. LUCIE. Why didn’t they come sooner? ANNETTE. Well—Jacques begged them to, but they didn’t want it at first. They wanted Gabrielle to be married first. It was even arranged that I should pretend I didn’t know they had been told. Then, to-day, I met Jacques in the street— LUCIE. In the street? ANNETTE. Yes. Lately he has not been coming to our practices—so I meet him— LUCIE. In the street! ANNETTE. Generally we only bow to one another, and that’s all. But to-day he said to me as he passed, ‘My mother is going to your house. She’s there behind me.’ Then I hurried in to tell you. [_With a happy smile_] He was quite pale. Please don’t scold me, I am so happy. Forgive me. LUCIE [_kissing her_] Yes: I forgive you. Then you’re going away from me, you bad thing. ANNETTE. Yes, I am _bad_. Bad and ungrateful. That’s true. LUCIE. Marriage is a serious thing. Are you sure you will suit one another? ANNETTE. Oh, I’m certain of it. We’ve quarrelled already. LUCIE. What about? ANNETTE. About a book he lent me. LUCIE. What book? ANNETTE. Anna Karenina. He liked Vronsky better than Peter Levin. He talked nonsense. He said he didn’t believe in Madame Karenina’s suicide. You remember, she throws herself under the wheels of the train Vronsky is going away in. Don’t you remember? It doesn’t matter. LUCIE. And then? ANNETTE. And then—there’s a ring—perhaps that’s the Bernins. _A silence. Catherine appears with a card._ LUCIE. Yes. It’s Madame Bernin. ANNETTE. Oh! [_Going to her room_] You’ll come and fetch me presently. LUCIE. Yes. [_To Catherine_] Show the lady in. ANNETTE. Don’t be long. _She goes out. Lucie tidies herself before a glass. Madame Bernin comes in._ MME. B. How do you do, Madame Brignac? LUCIE. How do you do, madame? MME. B. Are you quite well? LUCIE. Very well, madame. And you? MME. B. I need not ask after M. Brignac. LUCIE. And M. Bernin? MME. B. He’s very well, thank you. LUCIE. Won’t you sit down? MME. B. Thank you. [_Sits_] What lovely weather. LUCIE. Yes, isn’t it? How lucky you are to be able to get into the country. Annette is so looking forward to her visit to you. MME. B. Well, I came to-day—first of all to have the pleasure of seeing you—and then to have a chat with you about that very matter. LUCIE. And about another matter, too, I think. MME. B. Another matter? LUCIE. Not about another? MME. B. No, I don’t quite understand— LUCIE. Oh, then I beg your pardon. Tell me what it is about Annette’s visit. MME. B. My daughter has just got an invitation to spend some time with her cousins the Guibals, and we can’t possibly refuse to let Gabrielle go to them. So I’ve come to beg you to excuse us, because—as Gabrielle won’t be there— LUCIE. Oh, of course, madame. Will Mademoiselle Gabrielle make a long stay with her cousins?