Miss MARTHA HEDMAN. This is my first appearance in England, Sir GEORGES.
Sir GEORGES. True. I was forgetting. Well, when you have been with us a little longer, you will know that this is my face when I adore anyone very much, but, owing to an unfortunate episode in my past life, am forced to hide my love.
Renée (alarmed). Your past wife isn't alive somewhere?
Mérital. Oh no, not that sort of thing at all. (Embracing her carefully.) I will marry you, Renée, but run along now because my friend Frépeau is coming, and he probably wants to talk business.
[Exit Renée.
Enter Frépeau.
Frépeau (excitedly). Mérital, you are in danger. A scandalous libel is being circulated about you.
Mérital (calmly). Pooh! Faugh!
Frépeau. It is said that thirty years ago (Alexandre's nose twitches), when you were in a solicitor's office (Alexandre's jaw drops), you stole ninepence from the stamp drawer (Alexandre's eyeballs roll). Of course it is a lie?
Mérital (with a great effort obtaining command of his features again). Of course.