FRANÇOISE. Then you're not going out to-day, are you?
MARCEL. Nor to-morrow; the whole day is yours. We'll close the door.
MARCEL [_kissing her behind the ear_]. Hurry up, you lazy child!
FRANÇOISE. I'm not pretty, but I have my good points.
[_Françoise gives an exclamation of surprise and escapes through the door to the right without looking again at the visitor._]
MADELEINE [_stylishly dressed. With an air of bravura_]. So this is the way you deceive me!
MARCEL [_gayly_]. My dear, if you think that during these three years--
MADELEINE. I beg your pardon for interrupting your little _tête-à-tête_, Marcel, but your door was open, and there was no servant to announce me.
MARCEL. You know you are always welcome here.
MARCEL. Isn't she? Shall I introduce you?
MADELEINE. Later--I've come to see _you_.
MARCEL. I must confess your visit is a little surprising.
MADELEINE. Especially after my sending that note this morning. I thought I should prefer not to trouble you.
MARCEL. I'm sorry. [_Kissing her hand._] Glad to see you, at any rate.
MARCEL. You are still as charming as ever.
MARCEL. But your husband is fifty: that keeps you young. How long have you been back?
MADELEINE. He's a bit worried: you know how jealous he is! Well, yesterday, when I was out, he went through all my private papers--
MARCEL. Naturally he came across some letters.
MADELEINE. Yes. [_Gesture from Marcel._] Old letters.
MADELEINE. You can imagine my explanation following the discovery. My dear Marcel, there's going to be a divorce.
MADELEINE. Don't feel too sorry for me. After all, I shall be free and almost happy.
MADELEINE. He is going to send you his seconds.
MARCEL [_gayly_]. A duel? To-day? You're not serious?
MARCEL. But that affair was three years ago! Why, to begin with, he hasn't the right!
MADELEINE. You're right: _now_ you are not in love with his wife: you love your own. Time has changed everything. Now your own happiness is all-sufficient. I can easily understand your indignation against my husband.
MADELEINE. My husband is slow, but he's sure, isn't he?
MADELEINE. If it's ancient history for you, it's only too recent for him!
MADELEINE. But he ought to be a very interesting topic of conversation just now!
MARCEL. I hadn't foreseen his feeling so keenly.