NERISSE. You're still angry with me. You do yourself harm by the way you treat me, you do indeed. Listen, this is the sort of thing. Moranville, the editor of the review I was talking about, is going to meet me at my restaurant after dinner. I know he wants just such stories as you write. But Moranville reads only the manuscripts of people he knows--he has a craze about it. Well, I hardly dare propose to you a thing which nevertheless is perfectly natural among colleagues, to come and dine with me first and meet him after. I hardly like--[_Therese draws herself up_] You see, I'm right. You don't trust me. THERESE. On the contrary, I'll go gladly. Madame Nerisse will be with you of course? NERISSE [_annoyed_] Madame Nerisse! Nonsense! Do you suppose I drag her everywhere I go? Say no more about it. Whatever I say will only make you suspicious. [_With a sigh_] All this misunderstanding and suspicion is horrible to me. How stupid the world is! There are times when I feel disgusted with everything, myself included! I'm getting old. I'm a failure. I'm losing my time and wasting my life over this ridiculous paper, which will never be anything but an obscure rag. I shall have done for myself soon. THERESE [_awkwardly, for something to say_] Don't say that. NERISSE. Yes, I shall. I might have a chance of saving myself yet if I took things energetically and got free of the whole thing. But I should have to be quick about it. [_A silence. Therese does not know what to say and does not dare to leave the room_] I'm so low--so unhappy! THERESE. So unhappy? NERISSE. Yes. [_Another silence. Madame Nerisse comes in and looks at them pointedly_] Are they gone? MADAME NERISSE. Yes, they're gone. NERISSE. Is it all settled? MADAME NERISSE. Yes. I am to meet them at the bank at four. But they wouldn't give way on the question of reducing expenses as regards the contributors. NERISSE. And the dates of publication? MADAME NERISSE. We are to come out fortnightly instead of weekly. [_Indicating the door on the right_] You must go and speak to them. NERISSE. Is Therese's salary to be reduced too? MADAME NERISSE. It would be impossible to make distinctions. NERISSE. Difficult, yes. Still--I think one might have managed to do something for her. MADAME NERISSE. I cannot see how she differs from the others. Can you? NERISSE. Oh, well--say no more about it. MADAME NERISSE. That will be best. [_He goes out to the right. To herself_] I should think so indeed! [_To Therese_] While Monsieur Nerisse was talking to the other man I had a chat with Monsieur Cazares. He was talking about you. He's a nice fellow, and it's quite a good family you know. He's steady and fairly well off--very well off. THERESE [_laughing_] You talk as if you were offering me a husband! NERISSE. And what would you say supposing he had asked me to sound you? THERESE. I should say that I was very much obliged, but that I decline the honor. NERISSE. What's wrong with him?