Page:Plays by Jacinto Benavente - Second series (IA playsbyjacintobe00bena).pdf/288

 imitations of Parisian actresses, or a monologue, perhaps, or petite fantasiefantaisie [sic]?

. No, these people are all respectable. Make an impression on the hostess; it may do us some good. Compliment her upon her toilette.

. I have exhausted my stock of compliments.

. Then see what you can do with Don Ramón, since he is a friend of your father's. I must say that he does not look it; he is not overenthusiastic. When I asked him to use his influence, you should have heard what he said to me!

. ''Hélas! Ma petite femme!'' Our illusions fade rapidly.

. And don't talk so much. I know what I am doing, and I shall get what I want—you can leave it to me.

. Of course I can leave it to you. I leave everything to you.

. [To ] Do me the favor to persuade Ramón to support this young man for the position. The future of a loving couple is at stake. It is in our power to contribute to their happiness, and you who are so good

. Please, Gonzalo! I have no idea whether or not you are in earnest, but you must not involve me in your affairs, whether in jest or in earnest. I can only tell you that you are doing wrong, you are doing very wrong, Gonzalo—and you always have done wrong.

. Will you never forgive me?

. I have forgiven you, but I can never forgive myself. In spite of my feelings, I am obliged to receive you as a friend because we are not alone in the world. When you married Isabel, I confessed to her, so that I might feel myself a little less unworthy of her friendship. I had not offended against her, yet she might have closed her house to