He. Have I? And yet the greatest compliment a man can pay a woman is sincerity.
She. If he does not love her, yes.
He. Ah, then you agree with Tom Moore:
“While he lies, his heart is yours;
But oh! you’ve wholly lost the youth,
The instant that he tells you truth!”
She. Perhaps; but it is no matter, since we were not talking of love.
He. But if we were?
She. If we were we should undoubtedly say a great many foolish things and quite as many false ones.
He. You are cynical.
She. Oh, no. Cynicism is like a cravat, very becoming to a man if properly worn, but always setting ill upon a lady.