ndispensable, godmother. Your information is neither
firsthand nor up-to-date.

FELIAT. In a month's time you'll want to give it up.

THERESE. Under those circumstances there's no harm in letting me make
the experiment.

GUERET. Now, my dear child, don't you know that even with your
cleverness you may have to wait years before you make a penny. I've been
an editor. I know what I'm talking about.

MADAME GUERET. She's made up her mind, there's no use saying any more.

FELIAT. But _I_ want to talk to her now. Will you be so good as to
listen to me, Mademoiselle Therese? [_To Madame Gueret_] I wonder if I
might be allowed to have a few minutes with her alone.

MADAME GUERET. Most willingly.

GUERET [_to his wife_] Come, Marguerite.

MADAME GUERET. It's no use making up your mind to the worst in these
days; life always keeps a surprise for you. Let's go. [_She goes out
with her husband_]

FELIAT. My child, I have undertaken to say something to you that I fear
will hurt you, and it's very difficult. You know that I'm only Rene's
uncle by marriage. So it's not on my own account that I speak. I speak
for his parents.

THERESE. Don't say another word, Monsieur Feliat. I perfectly
understand. I'm going to release him from his engagement. I shall write
to him this very night.

FELIAT. My sister-in-law and her husband are most unhappy about all
this.

THERESE. I'm grateful to you all.

FELIAT. Their affection for you is not in any way diminished.

THERESE. I know.

FELIAT. And--

THERESE [_imploringly_] Please, _please_, Monsieur Feliat, don't say any
more; what's the good of it?

FELIAT. I beg your pardon, my dear. I am a little upset. I was
expecting--er, er--

THERESE. Expecting what?

FELIAT. I expected some resistance on your part, perhaps indignation. It
must be very hard for you; you were very fond of Rene.

THERESE. What's the good of talking about that? Of course he can't marry
me now that I've not got a penny.

FELIAT. You know--as a matter of fact--I--my old-fashioned ideas--well,
you go on surprising me. But this time my surprise is accompanied
by--shall I say respect?--and by sympathy. I expected tears, which would
have been very natural, because I know that your affection for Rene was
very great.

THERESE. I can keep my tears to myself.

FELIAT. Yes----Oh, I----at least----

THERESE. Let's consider it settled. Please don't talk to me about it any
more.

FELIAT. Very well. Now will