"Madame de was a most elegant lady distinguished received everywhere" "She seemed destined to a delightful untroubled existence" "Doubtless nothing would have happened but for the jewels" "The trouble is, they were his nuptial gift" "What should I do?" "Mother would advise me, if she were here" "If I sold the whole phalanx it wouldn't fetch 20,000 francs" "No, I won't part with my furs;" "I'm much too fond of them" "Better to dress simply" "Never have I needed it more" "This one" "Not this;" "I'd rather drown myself" "My cross... no, I adore it" "I care for them least" "After all, they are mine;" "I can do as I like with them" "Good luck" "Thank you, Nanny" "No breakfast?" "Your Ladyship is up early" "I didn't sleep a wink" "Is the Count awake?" "No, he would have rung" "Tell him I had to go out;" "be as vague as possible" "Please let him be kind; make him agree and I won't forget" "I wish to see Monsieur Rémy" "I would like a word with you" "First, promise to keep this secret" "We owe our prosperity to the ladies." "Secrets are our speciality" "I knew I could rely on you" "Well, I am in debt" "I spend a very great deal of money" "So I hear" "Too much" "I am temporarily in difficulties and I thought of parting with these diamond hearts" "You know their value best" "Especially as I sold them to your husband" "It is those you should be looking at" "Will you buy them back?" "I need time to consider" "Consider?" "But that's impossible." "I mean, it is at once that..." "What is it, father?" "See for yourself!" "Don't stare, do something" "This will do you good" "How do you feel?" "I am better now" "We'll come to some arrangement" "Does this figure seem fair?" "I am no judge, but it looks agreeable" "I will send it..." "At five tomorrow;" "I shall be alone" "Of course, it is not my concern, but what will you tell your husband?" "I shall think of something" "Heavens, they've gone!" "You were not wearing earrings" "I have lost my earrings" "You were not wearing any;" "I noticed when we left" "I remember hesitating over my choice" "You couldn't lose both" "Probably you meant to put them on in the carriage" "No, I'm certain..." "They're not here;" "I'll look in the carriage" "This way, General" "What are you doing on all fours?" "Looking for the loan you repaid;" "you did repay me, didn't you?" "I have been slightly hard pressed" "I'll see you soon" "If you say so" "Looking for something?" "Nothing important" "My wife has lost her earrings, little diamond hearts" "As she visited you in the interval, perhaps she lost them here" "I'm not getting up next time" "They must be in her room" "Bad luck!" "I predicted it this afternoon" "The four of diamonds followed by two black sevens means a loss" "I should have known that diamonds mean it'll happen immediately" "I said I wanted to question everyone" "Where are the others?" "Coming, sir" "I came here as cook; it's not my job to look for her earrings" "As he is not back, may one of us escort you?" "Both, perhaps" "See you later" "We are dining at home tonight" "But our friends expect us" "Your admirers irritate me." "Singly, they are irksome; in groups, unbearable" "I have a question, on behalf of Monsieur de Paramere" "He felt that, when looking for those earrings, you looked at his wife" "As if I suspected her?" "I won't go so far..." "A pretty wife is meant to be looked at" "De Paramere often looks at mine, surely not suspecting her of theft" "I was just explaining to the Countess there is no need to worry, the earrings will be found" "If need be, by the police" "Theft at theatre" "Bring the cutting" "And the earrings" "Bring my hat" "Bring my cane" "This carry-on about a theft could damage us" "If you see her, pay my respects" "Do you want your ears boxed?" "The General has an important meeting at eight" "What I have to say is important, too..." "for him" "I'll risk it, but he must leave at eight" "Come to tempt me?" "Alas, no, General; unfortunately" "Never in my life have I been so distressed" "I said, never have I been so distressed" "I regret I have no time to share your troubles" "I think you will have to find it" "Before bothering you..." "As you have ...perhaps even offending you, I must appeal..." "The new 90 ...I must appeal to your discretion" "Discretion, too?" "lt concerns the Countess" "Yesterday she brought some jewellery back to me" "The diamond heart earrings" "I never imagined you were unaware she was selling them ln buying them, I thought..." "What are you trying to say?" "ln buying them, I thought I was doing you both a service" "I don't quite follow you" "I sometimes do favours, but I try to ensure that none are done me" "Very fine" "This morning, when I saw this story of theft..." "Not another word; by coming at once you have done me a service" "I am obliged." "Kindly send me your bill" "Naturally, I shall take your wasted time into account;" "I insist" "I am so sorry to sell you them a second time" "Don't apologize, I am delighted" "Provided we alone remain aware of my wife's indiscretion" "A charming indiscretion; rely on me" "Time for your appointment, sir" "Trouble brewing" "I thought you weren't coming" "I promised I would" "I feel very sad, my little Lola;" "you will never know how sad" "Fortunately, or perhaps I would not go" "Don't worry, I was joking" "Soon I must start to forget you;" "let us hope it won't take long" "Anyone would think I was leaving you" "Letting her go could be a way of leaving a woman" "We are not our own masters" "Especially a general" "One of my officers was in the same dilemma recently, only he took flight" "And you punished him?" "No kiss?" "You want to make it harder?" "You are charming" "The stress of departure" "What is it?" "A souvenir" "Jewellery?" "Not curious enough to open it?" "No." "A woman can refuse jewellery before she has seen it" "After, it takes heroism" "Then don't be heroic" "Did you notice?" "Lucky thirteen" "Send me your address" "What for?" "You won't write" "My letters might upset someone in Constantinople?" "I hope so" "I'll keep them; they are my idea of a souvenir" "Are you asleep, Louise?" "No, I'm too upset" "What about?" "My earrings" "I never realized these souvenirs meant so much to you" "Mind you, I feel very touched" "But aren't our friends and the papers making too much of the matter?" "Not to my way of thinking" "Does that mean you suspect someone?" "The new footman?" "You say that because he squints, but Nanny knows his family well" "You've no right to accuse him" "What about your maid?" "She's above suspicion" "True, the girl is unlikely to need so much money" "Julien?" "Impossible" "Stop, you're being provoking" "I am willing to admit that you are right" "I carelessly lost my earrings;" "I alone am to blame" "Others shouldn't suffer for your wife's negligence" "Your wish is my command, Louise" "But are you sure you lost them?" "Of course" "Then say you have found them." "Make amends to our friends tomorrow" "I lie so badly" "I know, but it need not become a habit" "Anyhow, I've been very remiss;" "I ask your pardon" "Repeat that" "I never knew you were deaf" "Artillerymen are" "We'll never mention it again" "Never; what's done is done" "A present" "Don't you understand?" "A present" "A man who loved me" "Ah, love... understand" "All on thirteen" "Twenty-six" "A rare opportunity" "Ask where I bought these ear-rings;" "I got them in Constantinople" "But you have diplomatic immunity" "Pretend;" "I need a pretext to stay here" "Ask if I have cigars" "Louder;" "I want that lady to hear" "Well, count them for yourself" "To think that one has to pay duty on pleasure!" "Your passport, sir" "I have something vital to tell that lady" "I'm a diplomat" "Easily said, sir; your passport, please" "He couldn't even drive a push-barrow!" "I don't know how to apologize for my coachman" "But I should tip him, as his clumsiness enables us to meet again" "We never met" "Two weeks ago, at Basle, the customs..." "Of course;" "I had to pay duty on some dresses from Paris" "Fate" "I noticed you, too" "You wore a check suit, and your cuff-links had horse-head motifs" "Dark eyes, as now" "Fate" "We can go on, sir" "Already?" "Shall we meet again?" "Fate seems to favour us" "I don't think so, as you're going" "My name is Donati" "I'm Madame de..." "Where are we seated?" "I'm here; are you by any chance..." "Together, how extraordinary;" "fate twice exerted itself needlessly" "I should like to know your name" "What a pleasure;" "I thought you were still in Constantinople" "I see you have met my wife;" "you will get on well together" "I have often met your husband in embassies; the last time was in Madrid" "The Marquise said she is so sorry" "She wanted to introduce us at her ball on Thursday" "She added that we were made for each other" "The Colonel is so sorry, he wanted to introduce us at his ball on Friday" "And we were made for each other, obviously" "You enjoy torturing me -lt is too easy to enjoy" "But what must I do?" "I had hoped..." "I had hoped to be one of your escorts while the General is on manoeuvres" "I can't stop you hoping" "No one will amuse her as well as you;" "I know you" "But I warn you: she's a dreadful flirt" "She is adept at making you die of hope." "You know, torture through hope" "I have endured it; very painful" "General, for my paper; is what they say true?" "We are talking of the same thing?" "Then: no?" "Never been any question of it" "Don't go, we've finished" "Not at all." "This peace conference is a catastrophe" "I am, it seems, a dreadful flirt" "I don't believe it" "But I can't remedy what I'm unaware of" "That young Englishman says I let him hope; quite likely" "I find you very agreeable;" "don't be lured into my net lt's simple;" "I must not hope" "Until, Thursday, Madame" "Until Friday, Madame" "Four days without seeing you;" "are there no dances in Paris?" "We allow you time for politics" "What news at the embassy?" "Not much" "Apparently there is trouble in Montenegro" "Who said so?" "A woman friend of Sainte-Croix" "And he has very compromising connections in Montenegro" "I should not worry, if I were you" "Have you good news of your husband?" "Excellent, thank you" "Two days without seeing you;" "my secretary complains of my irritability" "An amusing ball tonight" "Have you seen the Admiral's wife?" "They're always together" "They can't meet otherwise" "You say it pityingly" "Not at all, I'm stating a fact" "Have you good news?" "Of whom?" "Oh, yes, excellent" "Twenty-four hours without seeing you" "I know, it's agony" "A dreary ball" "Not at all" "I can't see why you smile at him;" "I can't stand that fellow" "Don't say you are starting to hope" "Yes" "I have news of my husband;" "excellent, thank you" "Those two are always last" "Who is he?" "Baron Donati" "And her?" "Madame de..." "Baron or no baron, I've had enough;" "I'm off" "You're not asking after my husband?" "Quite right; he comes home tomorrow" "All's well that ends well" "Lovely spot, eh?" "Pity the kill's so far from the inn" "Congratulations!" "Splendidly organized" "The General's waiting" "Everyone here?" "But I don't see Monsieur de Rantzau or Baron Donati" "It's nothing; my wife frequently swoons" "An odd welcome home" "I should be grateful if you would not prolong these spells" "You used not to exceed the three minutes befitting a gentlewoman" "You need not worry about the Baron;" "the news is excellent" "I know" "I'm sure he'll be at the club tonight" "I envy you" "You seem very happy" "Your goose is cooked, General" "I am certainly out of luck today" "I must apologize" "For what?" "Winning?" "But that's only the first round" "Not that;" "I was referring to something else" "To your health, so precious to so many people" "I apologize for this morning;" "I am a poor horseman" "You were prancing like d'Artagnan;" "doubtless trying to dazzle someone" "I apologize for causing your wife's indisposition, albeit unwittingly" "Don't apologize; it's a habit of hers" "Once, in Lisbon, she was insensible for twenty minutes" "You reassure me" "Good night, Louise;" "I am sorry you cannot accompany me" "I want to go away" "Where?" "I don't know, our estates, London;" "somewhere far away" "I should like to know why" "I made a spectacle of myself;" "I wish to give our friends time to forget" "They have forgotten already" "I still want to go away" "I need rest, I must go" "You fear that your weak heart may play tricks on you" "Do you want a serious talk?" "Neither of us talks seriously as a rule, but I hope we shall manage" "You know, I am grateful to you for wanting to leave" "Only such a fine woman would sense the obligation" "But it is not a good idea" "You are not in such peril as you believe" "And neither am I" "I shall tell you a secret" "Our marriage is a reflection of ourselves lt seems superficial only superficially" "We have played with fire;" "I, especially" "But your wish to leave justifies my faith in you." "You will stay in Paris" "No, André, I beg you" "These are difficult moments to endure;" "we shall endure them together" "Napoleon was wrong only twice" "At Waterloo, and when he said that in love the only victory was retreat" "One must face the enemy" "You can do it" "You can do anything you choose" "You have pride;" "I respect and admire you" "And I love you" "Eight of diamonds: a journey" "There's the nine of diamonds, too" "Meaning?" "A delay" "Or it will be shorter than expected" "I've no idea how long I'll stay away" "Just a moment." "I have here the seven of spades and the seven of diamonds; trouble caused by your husband." "I'm surprised" "So am I" "On account of the king and ten of diamonds: a stranger" "What stranger?" "You irritate me" "No matter; but here are the nine and ten of hearts" "A great mutual love" "The Baron Donati is downstairs" "The Baron is in the library" "How did you know I was leaving?" "I did not know that..." "I came to reassure you" "And to thank you for your concern" "Do you like that picture?" "It's the Battle of Waterloo" ""Waterloo, Waterloo, bleak plain"" "Over there is Blücher" "There, on the right, Napoleon" "I would never have guessed" "If one has too much to say, words fail" "Why are you going away?" "Why not?" "Where will you go?" "The Italian lakes" "Without me" "Once there, I shall probably wonder at myself" "Then, why?" "I have been very reckless" "As you have not rebuked me, I fear you have not yet seen it" "A present with my roses; bought in Constantinople, not knowing for whom" "I wanted to make you think of me" "The Countess will be down shortly;" "Baron Donati is in the library" "How extraordinary" "To think they return to me from Constantinople" "Delighted to see you here especially as nothing in our talk at the club yesterday led me to expect this pleasure" "lt was purely by chance..." "A happy chance" "You will be able to wish Louise a pleasant journey" "She is going away for a few days..." "perhaps a few weeks" "You didn't know?" "Indeed, no" "You have not seen her?" "Yes" "She said nothing?" "Women are all alike; they make mysteries of trifles" "How amusing" "Our friend will explain" "You ought to make your farewells" "Your train leaves in an hour" "Where can I write to you?" "My maid will send you my address" "Come back soon" "I don't love you, I don't love you..." "Come back" "Louise, I am waiting" "I'm just coming" "Take care of yourself;" "above all, rest" "You, too" "While you are away, I shall have your room repapered" "Remember to write to Aunt Vallombreuse;" "she's so quick to take offence" "I'll remember" "Wear your shawl; the evenings are chilly on the lakes" "You have never been so susceptible" "Be nice to Nanny; she is going to feel so lonely" "You know Nanny is like a mother-in-law to me" "Come back soon" "Madame, try to sleep a little" "Our bags are packed." "Why are we leaving?" "We have only just arrived" "This is the seventh town in five weeks" "You could not understand" "Ambassador, the Foreign Office officials are growing impatient" "Have they no private affairs?" "See this letter catches the train for Rome" "I know, very urgent" "Come back in five minutes for this one" "The same addressee..." "Florence mail" ""My darling, not one letter from you in three months, only flowers" ""Where are you?" ""No matter, for you are always followed by my..." ""desire"" "I always replied, my darling" "But I had not the courage to post my letters" "Innumerable letters which would have told you of the depth of my affection which has ripened into love during this endless journey" "On the eve of this year which opens under the twin auspices of peace and prosperity our club is happy to welcome you gentlemen representatives of allied and friendly nations" "As my diplomatic experience has so often proved to me and I apologize for the comparison alliances frequently resemble certain marriages" "Like a man who says: "Never shall I marry that woman"" "And after months of profound reflection, says: "I will" with great pleasure and satisfaction" "After all, what is an alliance?" "The brotherhood of nations is no..." "The brotherhood of nations is no Utopia" "So I shall conclude by crying:" "long live France and her allies!" "May her enemies today become her friends tomorrow!" "We never see you" "Forgive me, General; some very complicated correspondence" "Nothing serious?" "I do not yet know" "Have you good news of your wife?" "I almost asked you that..." "you have lost something" "Happy New Year" "The Bois is deserted, Madame need have no fear" "We'll wait here lt has been an eternity" "I wondered why I lived on" "Your face was always before me" "Can you say it more simply?" "What shall I say?" "My favourite words, the ones you say so well: "I don't love you"" "My earrings" "They brought you close to me;" "that was my only solace" "I shall wear them always" "How can you?" "You are a child" "I don't love you" "These gloves... they're too sombre" "Go to your room, Nanny" "Louise, we are late already" "I am just coming" "My earrings lt's incredible" "Yes, it is incredible" "I'll put them on at once" "Are they the same ones?" "You're joking" "Of course I am" "I remember now" "I went to look for some gloves, just as I did tonight ln my haste, I must have dropped them among the gloves" "Quite likely" "Imagine how happy I am to find them" "I can, indeed" "Donati... second waltz" "Every dance, Donati." "There!" "Do my earrings suit me?" "They might have been made for you" "But how is it your husband allows you to wear them?" "Thanks to a little lie." "My first" "Well, one of the first" "Forgive me, but it was for you;" "it will be our lie" "You'll approve, it's easy to believe" "Tell me" "My mother's cousin has already given me half her jewels; very fine ones" "Her gift of these will arouse no comment" "And as she hates my husband there will be no questions asked" "Am I forgiven?" "He irritates me" "I hate society" "I want no one but you to look at me" "Let's go to Auteuil on Thursday" "Another three days; that's a long time" "Your Excellency, the General requests your presence in the smoking room" "I have something to ask you" "You will catch cold" "But the Baron..." "He will wait, don't worry" "Please give me your earrings" "Why?" "To each his own secrets" "People will notice" "Say they hurt you; it may be true" "You're sure the General wanted me?" "Quite sure; he must be detained" "Constantinople?" "Lovely town" "Lovely women" "Lovely jewels" "Did you know the lady who the previous owner of these..." "Did you know the lady?" "I did not have that pleasure" "She can't be doing as well as I hoped" "Anyway, that is not the point" "I'm sure you understand; it is not compatible with our position for my wife to accept from you so precious a gift" "Mind you, I don't know to what extent she confides in you" "Perhaps she did not tell you that they were my present to her the day after our wedding" "I wish neither to play the innocent nor close my eyes to the matter" "So I suggest and I hope you'll agree that you send these earrings to my jeweller and tell him what to charge me for them" "General, your wife has fainted" "Whenever I see her, she collapses" "An accomplished liar should have more sangfroid" "Where are my earrings?" "Shall we see the Sarah Bernhardt play they rave about?" "My earrings..." "Strange how you change the subject when I speak" "But tonight we shall talk only of Bernhardt" "Are you really ill?" "You look pale, we'll go home" "Wait here while I ask for your cloak" "I have to go." "When shall we meet?" "I had a talk with your husband;" "we cannot meet again" "Did he decide that?" "I did, after what he told me" "He told you all about the earrings?" "No" "I sold them because I didn't want them" "But you couldn't live without them" "Now, yes;" "I sold them before we met" "You owned them before?" "Who gave them to you?" "My mother" "Then why the story about the cousin?" "ln fact, it was to me that you told "our lie"" "And what did you tell the General?" "That I had found them again" "You lost them?" "At the theatre" "At least I said so, so as to be able to sell them" "Where were we?" "All these stories have rather confused me" "My husband gave them to me the day after our marriage" "Can you forgive me?" "Not now, of course, but one day you will" "I would like to;" "I try to hope so" "The dreadful thing is that, do what I will, I am already more distant" "I am no longer with you, Louise" "I trust we shall meet again, Madame" "Nothing serious?" "A veritable bargain, I can't get over it" "I was amazed to see them turn up here again" "Fine things, like people of taste, know the best houses" "But when he said: "They are to be sold to no one but the General" I was thunderstruck" "It's the third time" "A dozen such pieces, and you can retire" "What a coincidence" "Yes, and the extraordinary thing is that it was unprompted" ""Not beans again," I said, "I'm sick of them"" "May I come in?" "How are you this morning?" "Much better, thank you" "You look paler than ever" "I don't think so" "Did you sleep?" "Yes, very well" "No doubt you will also say you ate a good breakfast" "Why not let in the sun?" "It's a magnificent day" "How dare you interfere?" "I wish to speak to you alone" "Shall I go?" "I'll call you" "Is it true you have cancelled all your appointments all social engagements?" "Don't be angry, I beg you;" "I cannot bear any acrimony" "Try to understand and go out without me for the present" "What exactly is wrong with you?" "Humiliation" "Nothing heals more quickly" "Don't think so much of Donati;" "forget him as he has forgotten you" "Take care, Louise, be very careful" "Unhappiness can be imagined" "I admit I sometimes regret that I can no longer invent some myself" "What do you say to this?" "Thank you" "I regret that these earrings are yours no longer" "I will tell you what to do with them" "Lean on me." "Do not be alarmed" "You think me cruel" "You think you endure great unhappiness and that I am adding to it ln a few days you will be amused by your feelings now" "And the earrings you treasure will seem mere bits of glass" "They'll remain in the family" "I'll never forgive you" "Have you seen my son?" "As you know, your aunt has always been fond of you" "So, on this happy occasion..." "One day this great joy will be yours" "Has anyone some powder?" "Tears are always so devastating" "I've come on our usual business" "If I explain, I'll be committing an indiscretion" "Commit it, then" "To save her husband from bankruptcy, your niece sold me the earrings" "What has it to do with me?" "Habits being so compulsive, I thought you'd buy them a fourth time" "Stop bothering me with those earrings!" "And you're a civilian;" "just think how he treats us!" "Don't bother, it's a tradesman" "Be kind to her, Monsieur Rémy;" "she's in such a state" "Try to do as she asks" "The Countess?" "Her niece told her she had sold you the diamonds" "Has my husband bought them?" "Frankly, no" "I want them." "I'll find the money, I'll sell everything I possess" "If I've not enough, promise to wait so that I can look at them sometimes" "I don't understand; two years ago you wanted to be rid of them" "There'll be no trouble with my husband;" "I'm not buying them to wear" "I shall even have to hide them" "I could sell my furs, Nanny;" "I don't need them any more" "And my diamond cross and emeralds." "What do you say, Monsieur Rémy?" "We'll come to some arrangement" "You really did that?" "I don't see your diamond cross or your emeralds" "I sold them" "You're looking for these" "I am not angry" "I am sorry for you, you are ill;" "you are confused" "You are trying to transform your regrets into memories" "Hitherto I have counted for little enough in your life, but I was alone there" "We shared companionship, gaity, but..." "You know, Louise I am not very fond of the sort of person I am in your eyes" "I have tried to live up to it, not to disappoint you but it was never my choice" "There is still time" "Don't escape this way, into sickness and silence" "You see, I am not reproaching you" "I am your friend, let me help you" "No one can do anything for me now" "I disagree" "You are not going to harm him?" "He doesn't love me; it's not his fault" "Indeed it is; no one can be so stupid" "Did you suggest that Lamoriciére was a troublemaker?" "Odd that you never quite understand me;" "perhaps I speak too plainly" "I'm sure I will understand" "You said the army, and consequently its generals, were useless" "I remember putting it differently" "I said that with better statesmen we should need fewer generals" "I'm expendable?" "If you like" "A diplomat's opinion must differ from yours" "Is Monsieur de Bernac making your apologies?" "Certainly not" "Then they will be my seconds; inform them when they can meet yours" "Prove my expendability" "One doesn't fight over a professional matter" "Thrice through the heart" "He is a dead man" "Madame may wait, but His Excellency is out" "You're lying; he's here" "You have orders, haven't you?" "Please control yourself, Madame, we cannot have a scandal" "I tried to save you the pain of this interview, but as you insist..." "You are going to fight" "What fool said that?" "Nanny heard de Bernac talking." "You must not fight over me" "I am not worth it." "I am not even pretty any more" "Prettier" "You think so?" "You see, I'm incorrigible;" "too much frivolity, too many little lies" "The woman I was has become my ruin" "But you must not fight." "He had no right to provoke you, no reason" "He found one" "Why, since you no longer love me?" "You do no longer love me?" "He's a crack shot, he'll kill you;" "it's sheer suicide" "Perhaps" "Save him, beloved saint" "You know we are not guilty" "Only in thought, but what are thoughts?" "You will save him" "Accept my thanks-offering" "You're feverish, you should be in bed" "I may be able to dissuade them" "Wait for the order to fire" "Firing to cease at "three"" "The offended party shoots first" "Stop here" "Stay here" "They are too far away to see." "Think of your heart" "No exertion, the doctor said" "Ready?" "Why is there no second shot?" "Go and see, hurry" "I don't feel very well" "Help!" "She is dying!" "The gift of Madame de..."