“Oh, pardon me, but you are so funny, you are really so very funny;” then pressing her handkerchief against her rioting lips, “you will forgive me for laughing, won’t you?”
He did not smile in the least nor reply to her appeal for forgiveness; he only waited until she was quiet, and then went on with increased asperity veiled in his tone.
“You are to see him again, n’est-ce pas?”
“I never expect to.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
He stopped short and offered her his hand.
“Why?” she asked in surprise.
“Your word that you do not hope to meet him again.”
She began to laugh afresh.