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Library / Literature & Fiction

Madame Aubin

by Paul Verlaine

Pages
about 8
Category
Literature & Fiction
Language
English
Reading time
8 min at 250 wpm
Start readingThe whole book, as cards or one word at a time. 5 min at 450 wpm in Read mode.

From the opening

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PELTIER (to a servant who is leaving) That's fine. We'll ring when we need you.

(to Marie) A day and a night of rest, my darling, right? After which we'll leave, crossing Switzerland for Brindisi without any stop and reach the Orient as it was agreed.

PELTIER What do you mean? Since you approve, I'm going to peruse the train schedule. You'll allow me.

(A short pause during which Marie looks at her ring and munches on a cake she has taken from a gold comfit box.)

PELTIER (after having written some notes in pencil) There. At noon tomorrow we'll take the Express and we'll stop wherever you like. Look. (offering Marie his notes)

MARIE My friend, you are perfect. I'm going to think it over. Would you listen to me for a moment to discuss something else?

MARIE Don't interrupt me. What we are doing is crazy. It's not ridiculous, it's crazy. We will be far less happy than we were there. And it truly required all the influence of your charming character and the persuasion of your frankness (offering him her hand which he holds and keeps) to make me take this enormous step. It's no longer time, I know or rather I suspect, to go back on such an impulse, but after all, what do you want? And I am in despair after all this bravura which decided me, sustained me, swept me off my feet during this long journey from Paris to this chancy place.

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