Page:Plays by Jacinto Benavente - Second series (IA playsbyjacintobe00bena).pdf/111

 is a point in our favor. In the second place, the Princess does not love the Comte. This adventure is nothing to her but a convenient escape from a temporary embarrassment.

. Yes, I believe you are right. The defensive has advantages.

. I see only one danger.

. What is it?

. The delay which it involves, we do not know for how long. The Comte may ruin himself in the meantime. There the danger lies.

. We had better take the offensive.

. It seems wiser to me.

. Do you think we might make use of the Princess's lover? He must already be jealous.

. I place no faith in his jealousy; Herr Rosmer is surely acquainted with the financial operations of the Princess. Besides, a man who loves a woman who is above him socially, or who permits her to love him, is not in a position to be jealous. He offers nothing and accepts everything, either because he loves her so much that he is willing to forget his dignity and his self-respect, as well as the proprieties, or otherwise he does not love her at all, and is merely thinking of what he can get out of her. Whichever it is, whether it is love or self-interest, whatever he sees, he will notice nothing. Love is blind while self-interest shuts its eyes. The result is the same.

. But then?

. The alternative is a scene; let all the world know. Become jealous yourself, attack the Comte and the Princess, drive her out of the house—compel her to avoid appearing where you are. Then Herr Rosmer will be obliged to notice it, as he expects to marry the Princess as soon as she obtains her divorce.