hat makes it real? Therese, come with
me. Come this evening; let's go together; let's love each other. Oh, if
you loved me as much as I love you, you wouldn't hesitate for a second.

THERESE. Oh, don't say that, I implore you!

RENE. Then you don't trust me?

THERESE. I won't do it. I won't do it.

RENE. What prevents you? You're absolutely alone, you have no relations.
You owe nothing to anybody. No one will suffer for your action. You've
already given a year of your life to the foolish prejudices of society.
You've shown them respect enough. First they prevented our marriage
because you were poor; now they want to prevent it because you work.
Thanks to you I have been able to assert myself and get free. My father
and mother can keep their money. I don't want it. Come.

THERESE [_in tears_] You're torturing me. Oh, my dear, you're making me
most unhappy. I could never do that, never. Don't be angry with me. I
love you. I swear that I love you.

RENE. I love you, Therese. I swear that I love you. All my life is
yours. [_He breaks down_] Don't make me so unhappy. The more unhappy,
the more I love you.

THERESE. I couldn't do it.

_Monsieur Feliat comes in._

FELIAT. Hullo! Was it to make her cry like that that you wanted to see
her? Is that what you've learnt "in phosphates"? [_To Therese_] Don't,
my dear. [_In a tone of kindly remonstrance_] You! Is it you I find
crying like a little schoolgirl? [_Therese wipes her eyes_] Oh, I
understand all about it. But his father will give in in the end. And
you, Rene, be reasonable, don't hurry things.

RENE. But I want--

FELIAT [_interrupting him_] No, no, for goodness' sake, not just now.
We'll talk about it later on. Just now we have other fish to fry. We're
in a fix, my young lover. We've got to face some very serious
difficulties. Go along with you.

_Monsieur Gueret comes in._

GUERET [_to Monsieur Feliat_] One of the delegates of the Central
Committee is outside.

FELIAT. And what does the brute want?

GUERET [_makes a gesture of caution and points to the door_] He wishes
to speak to the Chairman of the Women's Union.

FELIAT. Oh, ask the gentleman in. [_To Rene_] My boy, you must be off.
I'll see you presently.

RENE. Yes, presently.

THERESE [_aside to Rene_] Be at the station half an hour before the
train goes. I'll be there to say good-bye.

_Rene goes out. Monsieur Gueret brings in the delegate and
goes out again himself._