Signora Fantastici (A Dramatic Proverb)

by Madame de Staël

MR. DE KRIEGSCHENMAHL: My son, what are you saying to us? These are names I've never heard mentioned and yet I wandered about the country when I was young.

MADAME DE KRIEGSCHENMAHL: My son, I fear the people of whom you are speaking are not of a society suitable to a well brought up young man.

LICIDAS: Mother, they are two charming Italians, mother and daughter. They arrived a few days ago, and I've never been so amused until I became acquainted with them.

MADAME DE KRIEGSCHENMAHL: What are you saying, Licidas? Amused! Is their company worth that of your aunt Ehrenschwand to whose home we go every Monday?

LICIDAS:
A thousand times better, mother.

MADAME DE KRIEGSCHENMAHL:
Better than the Tuesday soirees at your cousin Cunegonde's?

LICIDAS:
Even better.

MADAME DE KRIEGSCHENMAHL:
Is it credible?

MR. DE KRIEGSCHENMAHL: You will never persuade me that it's more amusing at her place than at this club where we smoke by day sometimes three, sometimes six, sometime nine pipes?

LICIDAS:
Yes, father.