"No, I didn't. I did nothing of the kind."
"Were you not there by appointment?"
"I told her that I should probably call. We were to have gone to some shop together, only it seems she has changed her mind. Why do you tell me that I had gone there to play some game with Captain De Baron?"
"Bagatelle."
"Bagatelle, or anything else! It isn't true. I have played baga
telle with Captain de Baron, and I daresay I may again. Why shouldn't I?"
"And if so, would probably make some appointment to play with him."
"Why not?"
"That was all I said. What I suggested you had done is what you declare you will do."
"But I had done nothing of the kind. I know very well, from the tone of your voice, that you meant to scold me. You implied that I had done something wrong. If I had done it, it wouldn't be wrong, as far as I know. But your scolding me about it when I hadn't done it at all is very hard to bear."