Monsieur de Noirétable (with a little humour). I know that I have aged, but I would not swear for Compiègne. Madame d'Escurolles (with enthusiasm), I cannot forbear to tell you that Compiègne in my eyes does not age, but grows. The walls of Compiègne are more subtle and her woods more deep; her air is more gracious and full of certitude and peace than in those days I speak of when she held me for a full year.
Madame d'Escurolles. Oh! Held you, Monsieur de Noirétable! You were under no constraint. It was your garrison.
Monsieur de Noirétable (rapidly). Madame, my youth was held. But I have not told you all of my own ageing nor of this return to Compiègne.... You say the town has aged also. Ah! You should see other towns! There is in Compiègne to-day, I swear to you, more deep and more desirable laughter than in the youngest and most virginal of towns!
Madame d'Escurolles. Why, M. de Noirétable, you grow lyrical! (Smiling.) One would think you had seen too many towns!
Monsieur de Noirétable (lightly and rapidly). A man in the Service must see many towns.... It is not wholly his choice. I volunteered as well, and saw more towns than I positively needed, Madame; to tell the truth, a man is none the better for visiting too many towns.
Madame d'Escurolles. It is the appetite for travel, Monsieur, and the love of adventure.
Monsieur de Noirétable. Precisely, Madame, you put it very well ... the appetite, Madame, and the love ... of adventure ... you put it very well indeed. (Abruptly.) It led me to Narbonne, to Florac, and to Cahors.
Madame d'Escurolles (shuddering). Oh! Monsieur de Noirétable! What dreadful names!
Monsieur de Noirétable (lightly). Not at all, Madame! Not at all! Delightful!... but passing, very passing! Believe me, in the presence of Compiègne, no man desires to return to Florac or to Narbonne, nor even to Cahors.
Madame d'Escurolles. No ... but he may choose to visit other places.