RENE [_returning, shocked_] Therese! Oh, what is it? THERESE [_completely at the mercy of her feelings_] Suppose--suppose after all, we _did_ it? Listen. I love you far more than you know, more than I have ever let you know. A foolish feeling of self-respect made me hide a lot from you. Trust me. Trust your future to me. Marry me all the same. Believe in me. Marry me. You don't know how strong I am and all the things I can do. I will work, and you will work. You didn't get on when you were alone, but you will when you have me with you. I'll keep you brave when things go badly, and I'll be happy with you when they go right. Rene, I'll be content with so little! The simplest, humblest, hardest life, until we've made our way together--_together_, Rene, and conquered a place in the world for ourselves, that we'll owe to no one but ourselves. Let us have courage--[_At this point she looks at him, and having looked she ceases to speak_] RENE. Therese, I'm sure my people will give in. THERESE [_after a very long silence, inarticulately_] Go, go; poor Rene. Forget what I said. Good-bye. RENE. Oh, no! not good-bye. I'll make my father help us. THERESE [_sharply_] Too late, my friend, I don't want you now. _She leaves the room. Rene sinks into a chair and covers his face with his hands._ ACT II SCENE:--_A sitting-room at the offices of "Woman Free." The door at the back opens into an entrance hall. The general editorial office is to the right, Monsieur Nerisse's room to the left. At the back, also to the left, is another door opening into a smaller sitting-room. There are papers and periodicals upon the tables._ _The curtain rises upon Monsieur Mafflu. He is a man of about fifty, dressed for ease rather than elegance, and a little vulgar. He turns over the papers on the tables, studies himself in the mirror, and readjusts his tie. Madame Nerisse then comes in. She has Monsieur Mafflu's visiting card in her hand. They bow to each other._ MONSIEUR MAFFLU. My card will have informed you that I am Monsieur Mafflu. MADAME NERISSE. Yes. Won't you sit down? MONSIEUR MAFFLU. I am your new landlord, Madame. I have just bought this house. I've retired from business. I was afraid I shouldn't have enough to do, so I've bought some houses. I am my own agent. It gives me something to do. If a tenant wants repairs done, I go and see him. I love a bit of a gossip; it passes away an hour or so. In that way I make people's acquaintance--nice people. I didn't buy any of the houses where poor people live, though they're better business. I should never have had the heart to turn out the ones that didn't pay, and I should have been obliged to start an agent, and all my plan would have been upset. [_A pause_] Now, Madame, for what brought me here. I hope you'll forgive me for the trouble I'm giving you--and I'm sorry--but I've come to give you notice.