BERTHA. If you can talk like that, you have never loved me!
AXEL. Tell me, why do you think I asked for your hand?
BERTHA. Because you wanted me to love you.
AXEL. Oh, holy, revered, uncorruptible stupidity—yes! I could accuse you of counterfeiting, for you have gone into debt to Willmer and made me responsible for the amount.
BERTHA. Ah, the little insect! he has been talking, has he?
AXEL. I just left him after paying him the three hundred and fifty francs for which you were indebted to him. But we mustn't be small about money matters, and we have more serious business to settle. You have allowed this scoundrel partially to pay for my household, and in doing so you have completely ruined my reputation. What have you done with the money?
BERTHA. The whole thing is a lie.
AXEL. Have you squandered it on luncheon and dinner parties?
BERTHA. No, I have saved it; and that's something you have no conception of, spendthrift!
AXEL. Oh, you saving soul! That negligée cost two hundred francs, and my dressing-gown cost twenty-five.