Comedy of Marriage and Other Tales | Page 8

by birth and for which she has
been born? Look at me! Am I made for a nunnery? The fact that I
married you should answer that question. And yet, you, _you_, who
took me from my father's house, neglect me to run after others. And
what others? I am not in their circle, neither am I one of those who
would share your life with others. So much the worse for you--for I am
free, and you have no right to give me advice since I am free.
M. DE SALLUS
My dear girl, be calm. You misunderstand me completely. I have never
suspected you. Indeed, I have the most profound esteem and friendship
for you--a loving friendship which grows greater every day. I have no
wish to comment upon that past with which you reproach me so cruelly.
Perhaps I am a little too--too--what shall I say?
MME. DE SALLUS
Oh! Say that you belong to the period of the Regency. I know that
method of excusing all male weaknesses and follies. Oh! yes; that
eighteenth century, that dainty century, so full of _elegance_, so full of
delicious fantasies and adorable _whims_! Alas! my dear, that is
ancient history.
M. DE SALLUS
No, no, you misunderstand me again. Believe me, I am and have been
above everything too--too--much of a Parisian, too much accustomed to
turning night into day, for the sedate life of marriage. I have been too
much accustomed to go behind the scenes of theaters, to various clubs,
to a thousand other forms of dissipation; and you know a man cannot
change all at once,--it takes time. Marriage seeks to change us all too
suddenly. It ought to give us time to get accustomed to it, little by little.
You would practically take away from me the joy of life were I to
behave as you seem to desire.
MME. DE SALLUS
I am so grateful; and now, perhaps, you wish to offer me a new
proof--a new proof--
M. DE SALLUS

Oh, as you please. Really, when a man who has lived as I have marries,
he can hardly help looking upon his wife as a new mistress--I mean to
say a faithful mistress--and it is only when it is too late that he
understands more clearly,--comes to his senses and repents.
MME. DE SALLUS
Well, my friend, it is too late. As I have already told you, I mean to
have my innings. I have taken nearly three years to think it over. You
may think that is long, but I need some amusement as well as you. The
fact that I have taken nearly three years to think it over is a compliment
to you, but you fail to see it.
M. DE SALLUS
Madeline, this jesting is altogether out of place.
MME. DE SALLUS
Oh! no, because I am compelled to think that every one of your
mistresses was far more attractive than I, since you have preferred them
to me.
M. DE SALLUS
What sort of mood are you in?
MME. DE SALLUS
In the same mood that I always am. It is you who have changed.
M. DE SALLUS
True, I have changed.
MME. DE SALLUS
And that is to say--
M. DE SALLUS
That I have been an idiot.
MME. DE SALLUS
And that--
M. DE SALLUS
I am sane once more.
MME. DE SALLUS
And that--
M. DE SALLUS
That I am again in love with my wife.
MME. DE SALLUS
You must have returned to your youth.
M. DE SALLUS

What do you say?
MME. DE SALLUS
I say that you must have returned to your youth.
M. DE SALLUS
What do you mean?
MME. DE SALLUS
Let me illustrate. When you are young you are always hungry, and
when a youth is hungry he often eats things that he would not eat at
another time. Well, I am the dish,--the dish that you have neglected in
your days of plenty, the dish to which you return in the days of
scarcity--[_slowly_] for which I thank you!
M. DE SALLUS
I have never looked upon you as you think. You pain me as well as
astonish me.
MME. DE SALLUS
So much the worse for both of us. If I astonish you, you repel me.
Learn now, once for all, that I am not made for the rôle of a substitute.
M. DE SALLUS [_approaches her, takes her hand and presses a long
kiss upon it_]
Madeline, I swear to you that I love you, in truth, devotedly, now and
forever.
MME. DE SALLUS [_ironically_]
You must really believe it! [_Suddenly._] But who is the woman that
attracts--and repels you--just now?
M. DE SALLUS
Madeline, I swear--
MME. DE SALLUS
Oh, a truce to your swearing! I know