Comedy of Marriage and Other Tales. Guy de Maupassant

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СКАЧАТЬ because it is as it is – to-day.

      M. DE SALLUS

      What a pity! How I should love the intimacy of a small and carefully selected circle of men and women.

      MME. DE SALLUS

      You?

      M. DE SALLUS

      Yes, why not?

      MME. DE SALLUS [laughs]

      Ha, ha, ha! What a charming little intimate circle you would bring to me! Ha, ha, ha! The fascinating men, and the fashionable women that you would invite! My dear sir, it is I who would leave the house then.

      M. DE SALLUS

      My dear girl, I only asked for three or four women like yourself.

      MME. DE SALLUS

      Pray repeat that.

      M. DE SALLUS

      Three or four such women as you.

      MME. DE SALLUS

      If you need four, I can understand how you found your house lonesome.

      M. DE SALLUS

      You understand very well what I wish to say, and it is not necessary for me to explain myself. And you know that you need only be alone to please me better than I could possibly be pleased elsewhere.

      MME. DE SALLUS

      Really, I do not recognize you. I am afraid you must be ill – very ill. You are not going to die, are you?

      M. DE SALLUS

      Oh, chaff me as much as you like, you won’t worry me.

      MME. DE SALLUS

      And is this mood of yours going to last?

      M. DE SALLUS

      Forever.

      MME. DE SALLUS

      Men often change.

      M. DE SALLUS [turns to Jacques de Randol]

      My dear Randol, will you give us the pleasure of your company at dinner to-night? You may help me to turn aside the epigrams that my wife seems to have barbed and ready for me.

      JACQUES DE RANDOL

      A thousand thanks, my dear Sallus! You are very, very good, but unfortunately, I am not free.

      M. DE SALLUS

      But, my dear fellow, send your excuses.

      JACQUES DE RANDOL

      I cannot.

      M. DE SALLUS

      Are you dining in town?

      JACQUES DE RANDOL

      Yes, well – not altogether. I have an appointment at nine o’clock.

      M. DE SALLUS

      Is it very important?

      JACQUES DE RANDOL

      Very important

      M. DE SALLUS

      With a lady?

      JACQUES DE RANDOL

      My dear fellow, what a question!

      M. DE SALLUS

      Oh, I am discreet! But that need not prevent you from dining with us.

      JACQUES DE RANDOL

      Thank you, my dear fellow, I cannot.

      M. DE SALLUS

      You know you can go away when you wish.

      JACQUES DE RANDOL

      But I am not in evening dress.

      M. DE SALLUS

      I can easily send for your things.

      JACQUES DE RANDOL

      No, truly, thank you; I cannot.

      M. DE SALLUS [to Mme. de Sallus]

      My dear girl, won’t you keep Randol?

      MME. DE SALLUS

      Why ask me? You know that I have no influence over him.

      M. DE SALLUS

      You are charming enough to influence the world this evening, so why can’t you make him stay?

      MME. DE SALLUS

      Good gracious! I cannot make my friends stay in order to please you, and keep them in your house against their wish. Bring your friends.

      M. DE SALLUS

      Well, I shall remain at home this evening in any case, and we shall then be tête-à-tête.

      MME. DE SALLUS

      Really?

      M. DE SALLUS

      Yes.

      MME. DE SALLUS

      You will be at home all the evening?

      M. DE SALLUS

      All the evening.

      MME. DE SALLUS [sarcastically]

      Good gracious! How you surprise me – and how you honor me!

      M. DE SALLUS

      No, it is a pleasure to be with you.

      MME. DE SALLUS

      What a charming mood you are in to-night!

      M. DE SALLUS

      Now ask Randol to remain.

      MME. DE SALLUS

      My dear sir, Monsieur de Randol will do as he pleases. He knows that I am always glad to see him. [Rises, and after reflecting for a second.] Will you dine with us, Monsieur de Randol? You know you can go directly after dinner.

      JACQUES DE RANDOL

      With the greatest pleasure, Madame.

      MME. DE SALLUS

      Excuse my absence for a minute. It is eight o’clock, and I must give some new directions for dinner.

      [Exit Mme. de Sallus.]

      SCENE III

      (M. СКАЧАТЬ