like a book. Certainly, we'll think about history if
you wish. I'm willing.

_Poirier_--What do you intend to do?

_Gaston_--To-day?

_Poirier_--And to-morrow, and in the future. You must have some idea.

_Gaston_--True, my plans are made. I expect to do to-day what I did
yesterday, and to-morrow what I shall do to-day. I'm not versatile, in
spite of my light air; and if the future is only like the present I'll
be satisfied.

_Poirier_--But you are too sensible to think that the honeymoon can last
forever.

_Gaston_--Too sensible, and too good an astronomer. But you've probably
read Heine?

_Poirier_--You must have read that, Verdelet?

_Verdelet_--Yes; I've read him.

_Poirier_--Perhaps he spent his life at playing truant.

_Gaston_--Well, Heine, when he was asked what became of the old full
moons, said that they were broken up to make the stars.

_Poirier_--I don't understand.

_Gaston_--When our honeymoon is old, we'll break it up and there'll be
enough to make a whole Milky Way.

_Poirier_--That is a clever idea, of course.

_Gaston_--Its only merit is simplicity.

_Poirier_--But seriously, don't you think that the idle life you lead
may jeopardize the happiness of a young household?

_Gaston_--Not at all.

_Verdelet_--A man of your capacity can't mean to idle all his life.

_Gaston_--With resignation.

_Antoinette_--Don't you think you'll find it dull after a time, Gaston?

_Gaston_--You calumniate yourself, my dear.

_Antoinette_--I'm not vain enough to suppose that I can fill your whole
existence, and I admit that I'd like to see you follow the example of
Monsieur de Montmeyran.

_Gaston_ [_rising and leaning against the mantelpiece_]--Perhaps you
want me to fight?

_Antoinette_--No, of course not.

_Gaston_--What then?

_Poirier_--We want you to take a position worthy of your name.

_Gaston_--There are only three positions which my name permits me:
soldier, bishop, or husbandman. Choose.

_Poirier_--We owe everything to France. France is our mother.

_Verdelet_--I understand the vexation of a son whose mother remarries; I
understand why he doesn't go to the wedding: but if he has the right
kind of heart he won't turn sulky. If the second husband makes her
happy, he'll soon offer him a friendly hand.

_Poirier_--The nobility cannot always hold itself aloof, as it begins to
perceive. More than one illustrious name has set the example: Monsieur
de Valcherriere, Monsieur de Ch