you allow me to say one word to you about
your future?

THERESE. I shan't change my mind.

FELIAT. Perhaps not; all the same I want to advise you like--well, like
an old uncle. For several years you have been spending your holidays
with me at La Tremblaye. And I have a real affection for you. So you'll
listen to me?

THERESE. With all my heart.

FELIAT. You're making a mistake. Your ideas do you credit, but believe
me, you're laying up trouble for yourself in the future. [_She makes a
movement to interrupt him_] Wait. I don't want to argue. I want you to
listen to me, and I want to persuade you to follow my advice. Come to
Evreux and you may be perfectly certain that you won't be left an old
maid all your life. Even without money you'll find a husband there.
You're too pretty, too charming, too well educated not to turn the head
of some worthy gentleman. You made a sensation at the reception at the
Prefecture. If you don't know that already, I tell you so.

THERESE. I'm extremely flattered.

FELIAT. Do you know that if--well, if you decide to marry--I might--

THERESE. But I've _not_ decided to marry.

FELIAT. All right, all right, I am speaking about later on. Well, you've
seen Monsieur Baudoin and Monsieur Gambard--

THERESE. I haven't the slightest intention of--

FELIAT [_interrupting_] There's no question of anything immediate. But
for a person as wise and sensible as you are, the position of both the
one and the other deserves--

THERESE. I know them both.

FELIAT. Yes; but--

THERESE. Now look here. If I had two hundred thousand francs, would you
suggest that I should marry either of them?

FELIAT. Certainly not.

THERESE. There, you see.

FELIAT. But you've _not_ got two hundred thousand francs.

THERESE [_without showing any anger or annoyance_] The last thing I want
is to be exacting. But really, Monsieur Feliat, think for a minute. If I
were to marry a man I could not possibly love, I should marry him for
his money. [_Looking straight at him_] And in that case the only
difference between me and the women I am not supposed to know anything
about would be that a little ceremony had been performed over me and not
over them. Don't you agree with me?

FELIAT. But, my dear, you say such extraordinary things.

THERESE. Well, do you consider that less dishonoring than working?
Honestly now, do you? I think that the best thing about women earning
their living is that it'll save them from being