Féliat. Certainly not.
Thérèse. There, you see.
Féliat. But you've not got two hundred thousand francs.
Thérèse [without showing any anger or annoyance] The last thing I want is to be exacting. But really, Monsieur Féliat, think for a minute. If I were to marry a man I could not possibly love, I should marry him for his money. [Looking straight at him] And in that case the only difference between me and the women I am not supposed to know anything about would be that a little ceremony had been performed over me and not over them. Don't you agree with me?
Féliat. But, my dear, you say such extraordinary things.
Thérèse. Well, do you consider that less dishonoring than working? Honestly now, do you? I think that the best thing about women earning their living is that it'll save them from being put into exactly that position.
Féliat. The right thing for woman is marriage. That's her proper position.
Thérèse. It's sometimes an unhappy one. [A maid comes in bringing a card to Thérèse, who says] Ask the lady kindly to wait a moment.
Maid. Yes, Mademoiselle. [The maid goes out]
Féliat. Well, I'm off. I shall go and see René. Then you'll write to him?