Comedy of Marriage and Other Tales

Автор

Ги де Мопассан

Жанр

Зарубежная классика

Год написания книги

2017

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M. DE SALLUS

That is not true.

MME. DE SALLUS

Oh! yes, it is. I have every date; do not deny it, for I shall confound you if you do. You also stopped giving me jewels, for, of course, you had other ears, other fingers, other wrists, and other necks to adorn. You also deprived me of one of my nights at the Opéra, and I do not know how many other things less important. And all this, according to my idea, should mean about five thousand francs a month. Am I not right?

M. DE SALLUS

You may be, but you are mad.

MME. DE SALLUS

No, no, confess; did the most expensive one of your mistresses cost you about five thousand francs a month?

M. DE SALLUS

You are crazy.

MME. DE SALLUS

If you are going to answer me thus, I bid you good evening. [She rises as if to retire, but M. de Sallus interposes.]

M. DE SALLUS

Come now, Madeline, a truce to this jesting.

MME. DE SALLUS [in a determined manner]

Five thousand francs? Tell me, did she cost you five thousand francs?

M. DE SALLUS [shrugs his shoulders]

Oh, yes, thereabouts.

MME. DE SALLUS [looks him straight in the face]

Ah, ah! Well, listen. If you will give me immediately five thousand francs, you may be my husband for a month – but only a month.

M. DE SALLUS

You have lost your head!

MME. DE SALLUS

Well, farewell, good night!

M. DE SALLUS

What a farce! Stop, Madeline, let us talk seriously.

MME. DE SALLUS

About what?

M. DE SALLUS

Of – of – hang it – of my love for you.

MME. DE SALLUS [archly]

But that’s not a serious question at all.

M. DE SALLUS

I swear it is!

MME. DE SALLUS

Hypocrite! You make me thirsty with so much talk. [Goes to a chiffonier, where there is a decanter and various liqueurs, and pours herself out a glass of water. At the instant she begins to drink, M. de Sallus steals up and kisses her on the back of the neck. She turns with a start and throws the glass of water in his face.]

M. DE SALLUS

I suppose you think that funny.

MME. DE SALLUS

It may or may not be. Certainly what you have done, or tried to do, was ridiculous.

M. DE SALLUS

Madeline, I ask —

MME. DE SALLUS

Five – thousand – francs.

M. DE SALLUS

But that would be idiotic.

MME. DE SALLUS

And why?

M. DE SALLUS

Ask me why a husband should pay his wife – his lawful wife – when he has the right?