Bellac. No, ladies, no! Love is not, as the German philosopher has it, a purely specific passion; a deceitful illusion shackling mankind in order to work its own ends! No, a hundred times no! if we have souls!
Ladies. Yes!—Yes—
Suzanne. Bravo!
Duchess. (Aside to Roger) She is certainly doing that on purpose!
Bellac. Leave to the Sophists and to vulgar natures such soul-stunting theories; do not even consider them; answer them with silence, the language of the outcast!
Ladies. Charming!—Charming!——
Bellac. God forbid I should go so far as to deny the sovereign influence of beauty over the uncertain wills of men! (Looking about him) I see too much about me by way of refutation to that argument!
Ladies. Ah!—Ah!
Roger. (To the Duchess) He looked at her!
Duchess. Yes.