e, SYLVETTE bursts into a rage.] How I hate
that Monsieur Bergamin!

[Enter PERCINET.]

PERCINET. Still here? Ah, I see; you did not want to leave this
sacred spot--

SYLVETTE. [Sitting on the bench to the left] Outrageous!

PERCINET. There is where you saw me, like Amadis, put to flight
thirty of the ruffians!

SYLVETTE. No: ten!

PERCINET. [Going to her] Dearest, what is the matter? Are you
troubled? Your eyes are not so bright as they were. I know!
This marvelous place makes you sad sometimes. Are you sad because
our balcony--our Verona balcony--is destroyed?

SYLVETTE. [Impatiently] Oh, dear!

PERCINET. But does not the wall still exist in our memories? That
wall which cradled our love--

SYLVETTE. [Aside:] Will he never end!

PERCINET. You remember not long ago, you said our story should
be put into a poem?

SYLVETTE. Yes?

PERCINET. Well, I have occasionally written verses.

SYLVETTE. Are you going to write our story?

PERCINET. Listen to this; I thought it out when I was walking.
"The Fathers who are Mortal Enemies." First canto--

SYLVETTE. Oh!

PERCINET. [Ready to declaim] Er--

SYLVETTE. Oh!

PERCINET. What is the matter?

SYLVETTE. I imagine I am too happy--I'm nervous--I don't feel
well. [She bursts into tears.] I'll be well in a moment. Let me
be! [She turns her back and hides her face in a handkerchief.]

PERCINET. [Surprised] I'll leave you for a moment. [Aside]
On a day like this, it's only too natural-- [He goes to the right,
sees the bill on the table, takes a pencil from his pocket, and
sits down.] I'll just jot down those lines. [He picks up the
bill, and starts to write; notices the writing and reads aloud]
"I, Straforel, having pretended to be killed by a sword-thrust from
a foolish young blade, hereby render account for torn clothes and
wounded pride: forty francs." [Smiling] What is it? [He
continues reading to himself, and his smile dies away.]

SYLVETTE. [Wiping her eyes] He _would_ fall from the clouds if
he knew! I must be careful!

PERCINET. [Rising] Well, well, well!

SYLVETTE. [Going toward him] What is it?

PERCINET. [Hiding the bill] Nothing. [Aside] Now I see why
the body was never found!

SYLVETTE. [Turning around to show PERCINET her dress] You've
said nothing about my dress to-day?

PERCINET. [Preoccupied] Blue is not becoming. I always prefer
you in pink.

SYLVETTE. [Aside] What is t