_Mérital (astounded_). Wonderful! How ever did you know?

_Renée_. --and you meant to repay the money.

_Mérital_. More and more marvellous. Yes, Renée, that was how it was.
But it hardly does justice to the affair. It is too short. I want to
tell you the story of my _whole_ life and then you will understand.
Watch my face carefully and observe how it works; notice the constant
movement of my hands; listen to the inflections of my voice. This is
going to be the longest speech ever made by an actor-manager, and you
mustn't miss a moment of it. H'r'm! Now then. (_Nobly_) I was born
fifty-three years ago. My father....

_Renée (half-an-hour later_). I still love you.

_Mérital (with some truth_). What a love yours is!

_Enter_ Daniel, Julien _and_ Georgette Mérital.

_Daniel_. Father, we have a confession to make. For some time we
doubted your innocence. Your face--well, you'd have doubted it
yourself if you'd seen it.

_Mérital (taking his hand affectionately_). Ah! Daniel, I see I must
tell you the story of my life. (_Excitement among the audience_.) And
you too, Julien. (_Panic_.) Yes, and--little Georgette!


SAFETY CURTAIN.