“And that is to say that the plebeian Thibaut and the patrician De Lâge cannot meet on a common plane?”
“You must not put words in my mouth.”
“Ah, if I might!”
“What then? It will soothe my ennui to hear.”
“Not for the moment. Tell me, mademoiselle, would you renew this comradeship were we to escape, and meet in the after-time under better conditions of security?”
“Oh, monsieur! and would you have me wander hand in hand with you through the gardens of the Thuilleries? or invite you to sleep upon the tester of my bed? or open my mouth like a young bird at the fruit-stalls, that you might pop in raspberries?”
“Unkind! I would have you meet me by chance; I would see your eyes open to a light of pleasure; I would have you come gladly to me and take my fingers in yours and say: ‘This is he that was my good friend when I needed one.’”
“I will remember. And then all will clap their hands and cry ‘Bravo!’ will they not? and I shall feel a little excitement. ‘Qu’y a-t-il, Jacko!’ I shall say. ‘Show the company some of the pretty tricks you played in the woods.’”
I was silent.
“And are those the words you would put in my mouth, monsieur?” said Carinne.