Madame Leverdet—I suppose, then, you are under the impression that you know me too.
De Ryons—As if I did not!
Madame Leverdet—Well, and I am—what?
De Ryons—Oh, you are a clever woman. It is for that reason that I call on you [aside: every two years].
Madame Leverdet—Will you kindly give me the sum of your observations in general? You can tell me so much, since I am a clever woman.
De Ryons—The true, the true, the true sum?
Madame Leverdet—Yes.
De Ryons—Simply that woman of our day is an illogical, subordinate, and mischief-making creature. [In saying this De Ryons draws back and crouches down as if expecting to be struck.]
Madame Leverdet—So then, you detest women?
De Ryons—I? I detest women? On the contrary, I adore them; but I hold myself in such a position toward them that they cannot bite me. I keep on the outside of the cage.