genius. When you meet my husband you'll find that he's altogether out of
the common. He's so clever, and he'd be in the very first rank in
journalism if it wasn't for the envy and jealousy of other men who've
intrigued against him and kept him down. I don't believe he has his
equal in Paris as a journalist, I'll read you some of his verses, and
you'll see that he's a great poet too. But I shall run on forever. Only
yesterday he got the last of the capital that's needed for founding the
paper; it's been definitely promised. We're ready to set about
collecting our staff. We shall have leading articles, of course, and
literary articles. Do you want me to talk to him about you?

THERESE. Of course I do. But--

MADAME NERISSE. We want to start a really smart, respectable woman's
paper; of course without sacrificing our principles. Our title by itself
proves that. It's to be called _Woman Free_.

THERESE. I'll give you my answer to-morrow--or this evening, if you
like.

MADAME NERISSE [_hesitatingly_] Before I go--as we're to be thrown a
good deal together--I must tell you something about myself--a secret. I
hope you won't care for me less when you know it. I call myself Madame
Nerisse. But I have no legal right to the name. That's why I've always
found some reason for not introducing Monsieur Nerisse to you and your
people. He's married--married to a woman who's not worthy of him. She
lives in an out-of-the-way place in the country and will not consent to
a divorce. My dear Therese, it makes me very unhappy. I live only for
him. I don't think a woman can be fonder of a man than I am of him. He's
so superior to other men. But unfortunately I met him too late. I felt I
ought to tell you this.

THERESE. Your telling me has added to my friendship for you. I can guess
how unhappy you are. Probably I'll go this very evening to your house
and see your husband and hear from him if he thinks I can be of use.
Anyway, thank you very much.

MADAME NERISSE. And thank _you_ for the way you take this. Good-bye for
the present.

_She goes out. Therese stands thinking for a moment, then
Rene comes in. He is very much upset._

THERESE. Rene!

RENE. Therese, it can't be true! It's not possible! It's not all
over--our love?

THERESE. We must be brave.

RENE. But I can't give you up.

THERESE. I've lost every penny, Rene dear.

RENE. But I don't love you any the less for that. I can't give you up,
Therese. I _can't_