"So much the better."
"They would believe I was perfectly happy."
"Of course, of course they would."
"All the while I should only be so in appearance."
"Well, what does that signify? As long as people think you happy, what does it matter whether you are really so or not? Men neither require nor care for more than outward show."
"But your reputation might suffer."
Rigolette burst into an uncontrollable fit of laughter.
"The reputation of a grisette!" said she. "Do you suppose that any person believes in such a phenomenon? Ah, if I had either father, mother, brother, or sister, for their sakes I should fear what people might say of me, and be anxious about the world's opinion; but I am alone in the world, and have no person to consider but myself, so, while I know myself to be free from blame or reproach, I care not for what any one may say of me, or think either."
"But still I should be very unhappy."
"What for?"