But one's fit to
kick the bucket in your palaces if one isn't in love. Ah, as to money,
my poor pet, I can lay my hands on that if I want to, but I tell you, I
trample on it; I spit on it!"
And with that she assumed a disgusted expression. Then she became
sentimental and added in a melancholy tone:
"I know of something worth more than money. Oh, if only someone were to
give me what I long for!"
He slowly lifted his head, and there was a gleam of hope in his eyes.
"Oh, you can't give it me," she continued; "it doesn't depend on you,
and that's the reason I'm talking to you about it. Yes, we're having
a chat, so I may as well mention to you that I should like to play the
part of the respectable woman in that show of theirs."
"What respectable woman?" he muttered in astonishment.
"Why, their Duchess Helene! If they think I'm going to play Geraldine,
a part with nothing in it, a scene and nothing besides--if they think
that! Besides, that isn't the reason. The fact is I've had enough of
courtesans. Why, there's no end to 'em! They'll be fancying I've got 'em
on the brain; to be sure they will! Besides, when all's said and done,
it's annoying, for I can quite see they seem to think me uneducated.
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