me we were going, Severine.

SEVERINE. Why? I am beginning to enjoy it.

GEORGETTE. My Balthasar, I adore you. (Embrace.)

FRANCOIS. Bravo! bravo!

BALTHASAR. What loony is that?

COMMISSAIRE. This is unquestionably too strong; this is--

Enter MAURICE and ETIENNE. They are dressed like young nobles, but
one can see that they are only disguised in dilapidated theatrical
costumes.

FROM THE ACTORS' TABLE. Who are they?

SCAEVOLA. May the devil take me if it ain't Maurice and Etienne.

GEORGETTE. Of course it is they!

BALTHASAR. Georgette!

SEVERINE. Heavens! what monstrously pretty young persons.

ROLLIN. It is painful, Severine, to see you so violently excited by
every pretty face.

SEVERINE. What did I come here for, then?

ROLLIN. Tell me, at any rate, that you love me.

SEVERINE (with a peculiar look). You have a short memory.

ETIENNE. Well, where do you think we have come from?

FRANCOIS. Listen, Marquis; they're a couple of quite witty youths.

MAURICE. A wedding.

ETIENNE. One has got to dress up a bit in places like this. Otherwise
one of those damned secret police gets on one's track at once.

SCAEVOLA. At any rate, have you made a good haul?

HOST. Let's have a look.

MAURICE (drawing watches out of his waistcoat). What'll you give me
for this?

HOST. For that there? A louis.

MAURICE. Indeed?

SCAEVOLA. It is not worth more.

MICHETTE. That is a lady's watch. Give it to me, Maurice.

MAURICE. What will you give me for't?

MICHETTE. Look at me--isn't that enough?

FLIPOTTE. No, give it to me; look at me--

MAURICE. My dear children, I can have that without risking my head.

MICHETTE. You are a conceited ape.

SEVERINE. I swear that's no acting.

ROLLIN. Of course not; there is a flash of reality running through the
whole thing. That is the chief charm.

SCAEVOLA. What wedding was it, then?

MAURICE. The wedding of Mademoiselle de la Tremouille; she was married
to the Comte de Banville.

ALBIN. Do you hear that, Francois? I assure you they are real knaves.

FRANCOIS. Calm yourself, Albin. I know the two. I have seen them play a
dozen times already. Their specialty is the portrayal of pickpockets.

[MAURICE draws some purses out of his waistcoat.]

SCAEVOLA. Well, you can do the handsome tonight.

ETIENNE. It was a very magnificent wedding. All the nobility of France
was there. Even the King was represented.

ALBIN (excited). All that is