“I liked his imagination—when I could dissociate it from his ridiculous vanity.”

“Fifine; tell me honestly. And that was all? You never even considered him in the light of a—of a possible husband?”

“O, don’t be horrid!”

“Women will, you know, take these incredible fancies.”

“Felix, I could understand myself falling in love with a gorilla——”

“Thank you.”

“But not with a poet. That he could picture himself, think of himself, as your successful rival! I almost laughed, although I was so angry. To see him return alone—and for that purpose!”

“You did not spare him, I fancy.”

“Indeed I did not. Why should I? I was enraged; and after all I had been hoping from our reconciliation.”

“Well, I am sorry for him.”