Thérèse. Oh, don't say that, I implore you!
René. Then you don't trust me?
Thérèse. I won't do it. I won't do it.
René. What prevents you? You're absolutely alone, you have no relations. You owe nothing to anybody. No one will suffer for your action. You've already given a year of your life to the foolish prejudices of society. You've shown them respect enough. First they prevented our marriage because you were poor; now they want to prevent it because you work. Thanks to you I have been able to assert myself and get free. My father and mother can keep their money. I don't want it. Come.
Thérèse [in tears] You're torturing me. Oh, my dear, you're making me most unhappy. I could never do that, never. Don't be angry with me. I love you. I swear that I love you.
René. I love you, Thérèse. I swear that I love you. All my life is yours. [He breaks down] Don't make me so unhappy. The more unhappy, the more I love you.
Thérèse. I couldn't do it.
Monsieur Féliat comes in.
Féliat. Hullo! Was it to make her cry like that that you wanted to see her? Is that what you've learnt "in phosphates"? [To Thérèse] Don't, my dear. [In a tone of kindly remonstrance] You! Is it you I find crying like a little schoolgirl? [Thérèse wipes her eyes] Oh, I understand all about it. But his father will give in in the end. And you, René, be reasonable, don't hurry things.
René. But I want—