ANTONIN [_looking at the music on the piano_] You are fond of Wagner, mademoiselle. JULIE. I adore him. ANTONIN. So do I. JULIE. What a genius he is. ANTONIN. Wonderful. JULIE. For me he is the only composer. ANTONIN. The greatest, certainly. JULIE. No: the only one. ANTONIN. Perhaps so. How nice it is we should have the same tastes in art! [_Pause_] Er—they have told you nothing, I understand? JULIE. About what? ANTONIN. Your parents, I mean. Mine have said nothing either. JULIE. They have said nothing, of course, but I guessed. ANTONIN. So did I. Then I may consider myself engaged to you? JULIE. Oh, not yet. We must know each other better first. ANTONIN. We have often danced together. JULIE. Yes. But that’s hardly enough. ANTONIN. It’s enough for me. Ever since the first time I saw you at the ball at the Prefecture. JULIE. No. It was at the band, one Sunday, that your mother first introduced you to me. ANTONIN. Was it? I forgot. JULIE. I should like to know more about you. Will you—will you let me ask you some questions? It is not usual, perhaps, but— ANTONIN. Certainly. Pray ask them. JULIE. Are you fond of children? ANTONIN. Passionately. JULIE. Really and truly? ANTONIN. Really and truly. JULIE. I am quite crazy about them. For me children mean happiness. They are the one thing worth living for [_wistfully_]. But I think I have a higher idea of marriage than most girls. I want to have my mind satisfied as well as my heart. ANTONIN. So do I. JULIE. A marriage that is a mere business partnership seems to me horrible. ANTONIN. Horrible! That’s just the word. JULIE. And tell me, are you very fond of society? ANTONIN. Not particularly. Are you? JULIE. No. ANTONIN. I am delighted to hear it. The fact is I am sick to death of parties and balls. Still, if it were necessary for business reasons: if it would help to get business for the bank, you wouldn’t mind? JULIE. Of course not. What kind of business do you do at your bank? ANTONIN. Oh, the usual kind. JULIE. I have often read what is put up on the wall, Current Accounts, Bourse Quotations. ANTONIN. Coupons cashed. JULIE. That must be very interesting. ANTONIN. Would you take an interest in all that? JULIE. Of course. When I was little my father used to make me help him with his books. ANTONIN. But now? JULIE. Now, unfortunately, he has a clerk. I am sorry. ANTONIN. Do you know that you are charming? JULIE. So you told me once before. ANTONIN. Yes: at that ball. You had on a dress just like this one. You are beautiful. Beautiful. [_He seizes her hand_]. JULIE [_a little troubled_] Please. ANTONIN. Come. We are engaged, as good as married. Give me one kiss. JULIE. No. No. ANTONIN. Won’t you? JULIE [_frightened_] No, I tell you. ANTONIN. What beautiful arms you have. [_He draws her towards him_]. You remember how I adored you when we were dancing. JULIE. Let me go.