MAID. Yes, monsieur.
DUPONT [to his wife] I know what they want. [To the maid] I will come down with you. [He and the maid go out].
MME. DUPONT [speaking at the door of Julie’s room] Caroline is here.
Angèle comes in and makes a quick movement towards Caroline but pulls herself up before the coldness of the other’s demeanor.
ANGÈLE. Caroline.
CAROLINE. Angèle. [They stand looking fixedly at one another for some moments].
ANGÈLE [sadly] How changed you are!
CAROLINE. You are changed too.
ANGÈLE. That is because life has not always gone smoothly with me. [Caroline makes a gesture of incredulity]. You don’t believe me?
CAROLINE. Yes, if you say so.