(The same with Jean and Gilberte.)

JEAN [approaches Mme. de Ronchard and speaks to her]

Do you know of whom we were talking just now? We were talking of you.

LÉON [aside]

Ahem! ahem!

JEAN

Yes; I was just saying that I had not made you a present on the occasion of my nuptials, because the choosing of it demanded a great deal of reflection.

MME. DE RONCHARD [dryly]

But Gilberte made me a very pretty one for you both, Monsieur.

JEAN

But that is not enough. I have been looking for something which I thought would be particularly acceptable to you; and do you know what I found? It is a very small thing, but I ask you, Madame, to be so good as to accept this little pocketbook, which holds some bank-notes, for the benefit of your dear little deserted pets. You can add to your home for these little pets some additional kennels on the sole condition that you will allow me from time to time to come and pet your little pensioners, and on the additional condition that you will not pick out the most vicious among them to greet me.

MME. DE RONCHARD [greatly impressed]

With all my heart, I thank you. How good of you to think of my poor little orphans!

LÉON [whispers to Jean]

You diplomat, you!

JEAN

There is nothing extraordinary about it, Madame. I am very fond of dumb animals. They are really the foster-brothers of man, sacrificed for them, slaves to them, and in many cases their food. They are the true martyrs of the world.

MME. DE RONCHARD

What you say is very true, Monsieur, and I have often thought of it in that way. For instance, take those poor horses, scourged and beaten by coachmen in the streets.

LÉON [with sarcastic emphasis]

And the pheasants, Auntie, and the partridges and the blackcock falling on all sides under a hail of lead, flying panic-stricken before the horrible massacre of the guns.

MME. DE RONCHARD

Oh, don't talk like that, it makes me shudder; it is horrible!

JEAN [turns to Gilberte]

Horrible, indeed!

LÉON [after a pause, in light tone]

Perhaps so, but they are good eating.

MME. DE RONCHARD

You are pitiless.

LÉON [aside to his aunt]

Pitiless, perhaps, toward animals, but not pitiless, like you, toward people.

MME. DE RONCHARD [in the same tone]

What do you mean by that?

LÉON [in the same tone pointing to Jean and Gilberte, who are seated on a sofa R.]

Do you think that your presence here can be acceptable to those two lovers? [Takes her arm.] My father has certainly finished smoking; come into the billiard-room for a little while.

MME. DE RONCHARD

And what are you going to do?

LÉON

I am going down into my study on the ground floor, and I shall come up here after a little while.

MME. DE RONCHARD [sarcastically]

Your study, indeed—your studio—you mean, you rascal, where your clients are—models—

LÉON [with mock modesty]

Oh, Auntie. My clients, at least, don't unrobe—alas! [Exit LÉon R., giving a mock benediction to the lovers.] Children, receive my benediction!

[Exit Madame de Ronchard C.]