"Assez, assez, mon enfant," he said, and he resumed his chair, "You meant it gentiment, but it was a bêtise quand même. We shall speak of it no more."
Before he left he gave me some more conseils.
"You took no amant, child? No? Well, perhaps in England it was as well. But now listen to me. Be in no hurry de prendre un second mari. The agréments of life are at their beginnings for you. All doors fly open to a jeune et belle veuve. Amusez-vous bien."
I looked at him. We were such old friends. I could speak to him.
"Even if one loved some one very much, Marquis?" I asked.
"On ne sait jamais combien de temps cela va durer, l'amour à vingt ans! C'est dangereux!" And he shook his head. Then, with an air of illumination, "It is your kinsman, Sir Thornhirst?" he said.
"Yes."
"And you love him very much?"
"I think so."
"In all cases wait—attendez—surtout—point trop de hâte!"