The Princess of Bagdad: A Play In Three Acts

Lionnette (giving him her hand with an involuntary and visible emotion)

Adieu, my dear Richard.

Richard (bowing coldly to Nourvady)

Sir… (He goes away.)

Scene IV

LIONNETTE, NOURVADY, afterwards RAOUL

Lionnette

You appear quite distressed.

Nourvady

It is on your account.

Lionnette

I thought nothing ever troubled you! It is the scene of this morning that has unnerved you.

Nourvady

In the first place…

Lionnette

The fact is that you were hurt at the way in which the Commissary entered; and your millions were powerless. As to me, I am quite myself again. You love me still?

Nourvady

You ask me that?

Lionnette

One never knows. The heart is so changeable. You see, this morning I did not love you; it is not five o'clock, and I love you. (She rings twice violently.)

Nourvady

You are feverish; you, too…

Lionnette

That will go off… (To the Lady's Maid, who has entered) Bring me my things to go out.

Nourvady

Is your husband in this house?

Lionnette

Yes.

Nourvady

Have you seen him?

Lionnette

No.

Nourvady

It is, nevertheless, to see you, that he has come back here.

Lionnette

No more than that I came here to meet him. We were living here; we are both going away, each his own way. We come to get what we want. It is evident that he and I would very much prefer, at this moment, to be somewhere else. It is you who ought not to be here; but, since this morning, it is strange we are all in places where we ought not to be. (To the Lady's Maid, who comes back.) That will do; put them down there.

(The maid, puts down a hat, gloves, and a travelling cloak, and goes away.)

Nourvady

I went back to your house, hoping to find you there. You had gone away. I supposed you were here. The servant who announced me, and who, evidently, knows nothing of all that has happened…

Lionnette

No one knows anything about it except the parties interested.

Nourvady

The servant asked me if he were to announce me to the Count or Countess de Hun. It was in that way that I knew that your husband was here at the same time as you. I had a strong inclination to say to the man: Announce me to your master.

Lionnette

What could you have to say to him now?

Nourvady

He came to look for you in my house: I come to look for you in his. You are a woman; you do not understand certain insults.

Lionnette

Do you think so?

Nourvady