(Low murmurs.)
Jeanne. (To Paul) That young lady is feeling very fit, it seems!
Bellac. Concerning love!—The weakness which is a strength!—The sentiment which is a faith! The only religion, perhaps, which knows no scoffers!
Ladies. Ah!—Charming!—Charming!
Mme. de Loudan. (To the Baroness) Ah, the wings, my dear—the wings!
Bellac. I spoke this morning—in the course of my lecture on German Literature at the Princess’s—of a certain philosopher who made instinct the basis and the rule of all our actions and all our thoughts.
Ladies. (Protesting) Oh!—Oh!—Oh!
Bellac. And now, ladies, I take occasion emphatically to declare that that opinion is not my opinion, and that I deny the theory with every fiber of my soul and being!
Ladies. Good! Excellent!
Baroness. (Aside to Mme. de Loudan) What pretty hands!