Thérèse. Yes, yes, all right.
René. I'll write you.
Thérèse. Yes—that's it—you'll write.
René. I shall see you again, Thérèse? [He goes slowly to the door]
Thérèse [ashamed for him, covers her face with her hands. Then, all of a sudden, she bursts out into passionate sobs, having lost all control of herself, and cries wildly] René!
René [returning, shocked] Thérèse! Oh, what is it?
Thérèse [completely at the mercy of her feelings] Suppose—suppose after all, we did it? Listen. I love you far more than you know, more than I have ever let you know. A foolish feeling of self-respect made me hide a lot from you. Trust me. Trust your future to me. Marry me all the same. Believe in me. Marry me. You don't know how strong I am and all the things I can do. I will work, and you will work. You didn't get on when you were alone, but you will when you have me with you. I'll keep you brave when things go badly, and I'll be happy with you when they go right. René, I'll be content with so little! The simplest, humblest, hardest life, until we've made our way together—together, René, and conquered a place in the world for ourselves, that we'll owe to no one but ourselves. Let us have courage—[At this point she looks at him, and having looked she ceases to speak]
René. Thérèse, I'm sure my people will give in.
Thérèse [after a very long silence, inarticulately] Go, go; poor René. Forget what I said. Good-bye.
René. Oh, no! not good-bye. I'll make my father help us.