The Lucretias were soon forgot whereas the Theodoras and theMessalinas are subjects for life's sweetest and most frequentconversation. How, Eugénie, may one not elect an alternativewhich twines in our hair the flowers of this world and yet leavesus the hope of reverence when we are gone out of it? How, I say,may one not prefer this course to another which, causing usstupidly to vegetate upon earth, promises us nothing after ourexistence but scorn and oblivion?
EUGENIE, to Madame de Saint-Ange — Oh! my love, how theseseductive words inflame my mind and captivate my soul! I am in astate hardly to be painted… And, I pray, will you be able toacquaint me with some of these women… (worried) who will, ifI tell them to, p********e me?
MADAME DE SAINT-ANGE — For the moment and until you havebecom
