y from
their true calling? (As FRANCOIS laughs.) I am not joking. Whores
are born, not made--just as conquerors and poets are.

FRANCOIS. You are paradoxical.

DUKE. I am sorry for her, and for Henri. He should stay here--no, not
here--I should like to bring him to the Comedie--though even there--I
always feel as though nobody understood him as well as I do.
Of course, that may be an illusion, since I have the same feeling in
regard to most artists. But I must say if I were not the Duc de
Cadignan, I should really like to be a comedian like him--like him, I
say ...

ALBIN. Like Alexander the Great.

DUKE (smiling). Yes, Alexander the Great.... (To FLIPOTTE.) Give me
my sword. (He puts it in the sheath. Slowly.) It is the finest way of
making fun of the world; a man who can play any part and at the same
time play us is greater than all of us. (ALBIN looks at him in
astonishment.) Don't you reflect on what I say. 'Tis all only true at
the actual moment. Good-by.

MICHETTE. Give me a kiss before you go.

FLIPOTTE. Me too!

[They hang on to him, the Duke kisses them both at once and
goes. In the meanwhile:]

ALBIN. a wonderful man!

FRANCOIS. That is quite true; ... but the existence of men like that is
almost a reason for not marrying.

ALBIN. But do explain; what are those girls?

FRANCOIS. Actresses. They, too, belong to the troupe of Prosper, who is
at present the host of the tavern. No doubt they've done in the past
much the same as they're doing now.

[GUILLAUME rushes in apparently breathless.]

GUILLAUME (making toward the table where the actors are sitting, with
his hand on his heart--speaking with difficulty--supporting himself).
Saved--ay, saved!

SCAEVOLA. What is it? What ails you?

ALBIN. What has happened to the man?

FRANCOIS. That is part of the acting now. Mark you.

ALBIN. Ah!

MICHETTE and FLIPOTTE (going quickly to GUILLAUME). What is it?
What ails you?

SCAEVOLA. Sit down. Take a draught!

GUILLAUME. More!--more! Prosper, more wine! I have been running. My
tongue cleaves to my mouth. They were right at my heels.

JULES (gives a start). Ah! be careful; they really are at our heels.

HOST. Come, tell us, what happened then? (To the actors.)
Movement!--more movement!

GUILLAUME. Women here ... women--ah! (Embraces FLIPOTTE.) That brings
one back to life again! (To ALBIN, who is highly impressed.) The
Devil take me, my boy, if I thought I woul