DE SALLUS
You talk nonsense; you cannot pick and choose.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
No, truly, you cannot sift and strain the flow of idiocy that you meet in the drawing-rooms of to-day.
M. DE SALLUS
Why?
MME. DE SALLUS
Simply because it is as it is--to-day.
M. DE SALLUS
What a pity! How I should love the intimacy of a small and carefully selected circle of men and women.
MME. DE SALLUS
You?
M. DE SALLUS
Yes, why not?
MME. DE SALLUS [_laughs_]
Ha, ha, ha! What a charming little intimate circle you would bring to me! Ha, ha, ha! The fascinating men, and the fashionable women that you would invite! My dear sir, it is I who would leave the house then.
M. DE SALLUS
My dear girl, I only asked for three or four women like yourself.
MME. DE SALLUS
Pray repeat that.
M. DE SALLUS
Three or four such women as you.
MME. DE SALLUS
If you need four, I can understand how you found your house lonesome.
M. DE SALLUS
You understand very well what I wish to say, and it is not necessary for me to explain myself. And you know that you need only be alone to please me better than I could possibly be pleased elsewhere.
MME. DE SALLUS
Really, I do not recognize you. I am afraid you must be ill--very ill. You are not going to die, are you?
M. DE SALLUS
Oh, chaff me as much as you like, you won't worry me.
MME. DE SALLUS
And is this mood of yours going to last?
M. DE SALLUS
Forever.
MME. DE SALLUS
Men often change.
M. DE SALLUS [_turns to_ Jacques de Randol]
My dear Randol, will you give us the pleasure of your company at dinner to-night? You may help me to turn aside the epigrams that my wife seems to have barbed and ready for me.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
A thousand thanks, my dear Sallus! You are very, very good, but unfortunately, I am not free.
M. DE SALLUS
But, my dear fellow, send your excuses.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
I cannot.
M. DE SALLUS
Are you dining in town?
JACQUES DE RANDOL
Yes, well--not altogether. I have an appointment at nine o'clock.
M. DE SALLUS
Is it very important?
JACQUES DE RANDOL
Very important
M. DE SALLUS
With a lady?
JACQUES DE RANDOL
My dear fellow, what a question!
M. DE SALLUS
Oh, I am discreet! But that need not prevent you from dining with us.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
Thank you, my dear fellow, I cannot.
M. DE SALLUS
You know you can go away when you wish.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
But I am not in evening dress.
M. DE SALLUS
I can easily send for your things.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
No, truly, thank you; I cannot.
M. DE SALLUS [_to_ Mme. de Sallus]
My dear girl, won't you keep Randol?
MME. DE SALLUS
Why ask me? You know that I have no influence over him.
M. DE SALLUS
You are charming enough to influence the world this evening, so why can't you make him stay?
MME. DE SALLUS
Good gracious! I cannot make my friends stay in order to please you, and keep them in your house against their wish. Bring _your_ friends.
M. DE SALLUS
Well, I shall remain at home this evening in any case, and we shall then be _t?te-?-t?te_.
MME. DE SALLUS
Really?
M. DE SALLUS
Yes.
MME. DE SALLUS
You will be at home all the evening?
M. DE SALLUS
All the evening.
MME. DE SALLUS [_sarcastically_]
Good gracious! How you surprise me--and how you honor me!
M. DE SALLUS
No, it is a pleasure to be with
