Laura (astonished). Falls in love?
Mathilde. Yes. Sometime or other, love is awakened in the heart of every woman; and then, if she cannot love her husband, in the course of time she will love some one else.
Laura (dismayed). Some one else!
Mathilde. Yes. (A pause.)
Laura. That is horrible! (Begins to sew, then lays her hand down on the table, then begins to sew again.) And what happens to him?
Mathilde. He falls ill, very ill. And then some one finds him out and comforts him—a woman.
Laura (looking up). How does that happen?
Mathilde. His heart is like an empty house, in an atmosphere of sadness and longing. Little by little she—the woman who comforts him—creeps into it; and so in time there comes the day when he can say he is happy. (A pause.)
Laura (quietly). Who is she?
Mathilde. One of those poor-spirited creatures that can be content with the aftermath of love.