e.
[_With vehemence_] And I love him, I love him!

NERISSE [_violently_] You have a lover! If that's true--

THERESE [_with a cry of triumph_] Oh, have I got to the bottom of your
vulgar, hateful little soul? If there ever was any danger of my giving
in, your expression then would have saved me. You never thought there
could be anything better. A lover! No, I have no lover. I have a love.

NERISSE. I don't see so very much difference.

THERESE [_proudly_] I know you don't, and that shows what you are. This
is the one love of my life, my love for my betrothed. I lost my money
and that separated us, but we found each other again. It's unhappy to be
separated, but we bear our unhappiness out of respect for what you call
prejudices, because we know how our defying them would hurt those we
love. You think me ridiculous, but you cannot imagine how utterly
indifferent I am. I am waiting, we are waiting, with perfect trust and
love. Now d'you understand that I'm perfectly safe from you? Go!

NERISSE [_in a low voice which trembles with anger and jealousy_] How
dare you say that to me, Therese? How dare you bring such a picture
before me? I will not allow you to belong to another man. [_He advances
towards her_]

THERESE [_in violent excitement_] No, no, don't dare! Don't touch me!
don't dare to touch me!

_She cries out those words with such violence and in a voice
of such authority that Nerisse stops and drops into a
chair._

NERISSE. Forgive me. I'm out of my mind. I don't know what I'm doing.

THERESE [_in a low, forced voice_] Will you go? I've work to do.

NERISSE. Yes, I'll go. [_He rises and says humbly_] I want to ask
you--you won't leave us?

THERESE. You dare to say that? You think I'll expose myself a second
time to a scene like this. Yes! I shall leave, and leave to-night!
_Will_ you go?

NERISSE. I implore you. [_Hearing a noise outside, suddenly alarmed_]
Here she is! Control yourself, I beg of you. Don't tell her.

THERESE. You needn't be afraid.

_Madame Nerisse comes in._

MADAME NERISSE [_looking from one to the other_] What's going on here?

NERISSE. Mademoiselle Therese says that she's going to leave us, and I
tried to make her understand--perhaps you could do something--I must go
out.

MADAME NERISSE. Yes. Go.

_He takes his hat and goes out at the back._

MADAME NERISSE. You wish to leave us?

THERESE. Yes, Madame.

MADAME NERISSE. Because Monsieur Neris