Mademoiselle de Meuriot [to Madame Chanteuil] Wait, wait. I'm going with you. I am not going to leave you just now.
Mademoiselle de Meuriot goes out with Madame Chanteuil. Thérèse, left alone, buries her head in her hands and thinks. Then she takes the two books that Madame Nérisse has handed her, and with a determined swing sits down and starts working. After a moment Monsieur Nérisse comes in.
Nérisse. My dear child, I have news for you. Pleasant news, I think.
Thérèse [rather grimly] Have you?
Nérisse. One little smile, please, or I shall tell you nothing.
Thérèse. I assure you smiling is the last thing I feel like.
Nérisse. If you only knew what I've been doing for you, you wouldn't receive me so unkindly.
Thérèse. You can do nothing for me. Will you please leave me alone?
Nérisse. I don't deserve to be spoken to like that, Thérèse. Listen; we must come to an understanding. I know you're angry with me still about what happened last month. I promised you then I would say no more. Have I kept my word?
Thérèse. Yes, you have.