(Jeanne appears; closes the door.)
Duchess. The Sub-prefect’s wife!
Jeanne. (Astonished at seeing them) Oh!
Duchess. Come in, don’t be afraid. It would seem that you have had enough?
Jeanne. Oh, no, Duchess, but you see, I——
Duchess. You don’t care for tragedy?
Jeanne. Oh, yes, I do!
Duchess. Oh, you needn’t say so to be polite; there are seventeen others who feel as you do! (Aside) What can she be up to?—It wasn’t interesting, was it?
Jeanne. Quite the contrary!
Duchess. “Quite the contrary,” as you say to the person who asks you whether it hurt when he stepped on your foot?