Nérisse. Forgive me. I'm out of my mind. I don't know what I'm doing.
Thérèse [in a low, forced voice] Will you go? I've work to do.
Nérisse. Yes, I'll go. [He rises and says humbly] I want to ask you—you won't leave us?
Thérèse. You dare to say that? You think I'll expose myself a second time to a scene like this. Yes! I shall leave, and leave to-night! Will you go?
Nérisse. I implore you. [Hearing a noise outside, suddenly alarmed] Here she is! Control yourself, I beg of you. Don't tell her.
Thérèse. You needn't be afraid.
Madame Nérisse comes in.
Madame Nérisse [looking from one to the other] What's going on here?
Nérisse. Mademoiselle Thérèse says that she's going to leave us, and I tried to make her understand—perhaps you could do something—I must go out.
Madame Nérisse. Yes. Go.