Very well! Do not open it.
(Two blows of a hammer are given on the hall door; after a little while, two more.)
A Voice (from outside).
For the third time, open.
Lionnette (who has gone to look through the curtains of the window).
My husband! With these men. Ah! this is complete.
Nourvady.
Conceal yourself here. (He shoves the door at the right.)
Lionnette (beyond herself with passion).
I conceal myself! What do you mean? Who do you take me for? I have done no harm. All those people there are mad, decidedly. I want to see them quite close. (Nourvady goes to lock the door at the back. Lionnette has pulled off her veils, torn the fichu that was on her shoulders, and unrolled her hair by shaking her head.) It was when I was like this that my husband thought me most beautiful! It is well, at least, that he should see me once more as he used to like to see me. Am I really beautiful like this?