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 tête-à-tête.
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 you.
MME. DE SALLUS
What a charming mood you are in to-night!
M. DE SALLUS
Now ask Randol to remain.
MME. DE SALLUS
My dear sir, Monsieur de Randol will do as he pleases. He knows that I am always glad to see him. [Rises, and after reflecting for a second.] Will you dine with us, Monsieur de Randol? You know you can go directly after dinner.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
With the greatest pleasure, Madame.
MME. DE SALLUS
Excuse my absence for a minute. It is eight o’clock, and I must give some new directions for dinner.
[Exit Mme. de Sallus.]
SCENE III
(M. de Sallus and M. Jacques de Randol.)
M. DE SALLUS
My dear fellow, you will do me the greatest service if you will pass the whole evening here.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
But I have told you that I cannot.
M. DE SALLUS
Is it altogether – absolutely – impossible?
JACQUES DE RANDOL
Absolutely.
M. DE SALLUS
I most earnestly ask you to remain.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
And why?