DOLMANCE — A thousand pardons, Mademoiselle; but we otherbuggers are very nice on the question of candor and the exactitudeof our principles.
MADAME DE SAINT-ANGE — However, a reputation for candor isnot the one we commonly grant those whom, like yourself, areaccustomed only to taking people from behind.
DOLMANCE — We do have something of the treacherous, yes; atouch of the false, you may believe it. But after all, Madame, Ihave demonstrated to you that this character is indispensable toman in society. Condemned to live amidst people who have thegreatest interest in hiding themselves from our gaze, in disguisingthe vices they have in order to exhibit nothing but virtues theynever respect, there should be the greatest danger in the thingwere we to show them frankness only; for then, 'tis
