MADEMOISELLE DE MEURIOT. I don't care for you a little, Therese! I care for you very much indeed. I like you because you're brave and hurl yourself against obstacles like a little battering ram, and because you're straight and honest and one can depend on you. THERESE [_who can't get open the letter she holds_] Please pass me the scissors. Thanks. [_She cuts open the envelope_] I might have been all those things, and it would have been no good at all, if you hadn't been able to see them. MADEMOISELLE DE MEURIOT. Remember that in being friends with you I get as much as I give. My people were very religious and very proud of their title. I made up my mind to leave home, but since then I've been quite alone--alone for thirty years. I'm selfish in my love for you now. I've had so little of that sort of happiness. THERESE. You've done so much for women. You've helped so many. MADEMOISELLE DE MEURIOT [_touching her piles of letters_] Here's another who won't renew. THERESE. What will Madame Nerisse say? [_Continuing_] You know, Mademoiselle, it's not only success that I want. I have a great ambition. I should like to think that because I've lived there might be a little less suffering in the world. That's the sort of thing that I can say to nobody but you. MADEMOISELLE DE MEURIOT [_tenderly_] Therese has an ardent soul. THERESE. Yes, Therese has an ardent soul. It was you who said that about me first, and I think I deserve it. [_Changing her tone_] Here's the subscriber's book. [_She hands the book and continues in her former voice_] Like Guyan, I have more tears than I need to spend on my own sufferings, so I can give the spare ones to other people. And not only tears, but courage and consolation that I have no opportunity of using up myself. Do you understand what I mean? MADEMOISELLE DE MEURIOT. Yes, I understand, my dear. I see my own youth over again. [_Sadly_] Oh, I hope that you--but I don't want to rouse up those old ghosts; I should only distress you. Perhaps lives like mine are necessary, if it's only to throw into relief lives that are more beautiful than mine. Keep your lovely dreams. [_A silence_] When I think that instead of being an old maid I might have been the mother of a girl like you! THERESE [_leaning towards her and kissing her hair_] Don't cry. MADEMOISELLE DE MEURIOT [_tears in her eyes and a smile upon her lips_] No, no, I won't; and when I think that somewhere or other there's a man you love! THERESE [_smiling_] Some day or other I must tell you a whole lot of things about Rene. MADEMOISELLE DE MEURIOT. Have you seen him again? THERESE. Yes. MADEMOISELLE DE MEURIOT. But you were supposed not to meet any more.