J. B.—“Ah! my dear fellow, it is a fine thing to be young! Your illusions are wonderful. I rather like that growlery idea of yours, though: never show your wife that she is entitled to expect amiability from you at all seasons, without having any effort to make to obtain it. People get none the worse served for being a little hard to please, in all circumstances of this life. I suppose you have not informed the lady in question of these plans of yours?”
Monsieur.—“Indeed I have, my dear Mr. Bull, and what is more, she approves highly of them....”
J. B.—“Well, my dear fellow, since you have made up your mind to go in for matrimony, I am glad to see that you are preparing to rob it of its drawbacks. When a man has entered into a compact that he cannot draw out of, he is a fool if he does not do his best to turn it to his own advantage.... But I fancy the ladies must be expecting us in the drawing-room.”
Monsieur.—“Let us go and join them.”
XVI.
The Brune and the Blonde — Madame la Comtesse d’A. and Lady B. chat a little about their husbands, discuss their respective merits, and indulge in several little confidences.
(The scene is laid in a small drawing-room. The two friends are seated, engaged in needlework.)
Lady B.—“How beautifully you embroider, dear! You use your needle to perfection. That little pink bird is exquisitely shaded. I should never get to blend my colours as you do. And how your fingers fly!”
La Comtesse.—“Ah ça! you think, I daresay, that we Frenchwomen only know how to read novels.”