"No; how could that be?"
"Always one gains by offering some equivalent, value for value—especially with women, Monsieur."
She went on as though to herself. "Come, now, I fancy him! He is handsome, he is discreet, he has courage, he is not usual, he is not curious; but ah, mon Dieu, what a fool!"
"Admit me to be a fool, Madam, since it is true; but tell me in my folly what equivalent I can offer one who has everything in the world—wealth, taste, culture, education, wit, learning, beauty?"
"Go on! Excellent!"
"Who has everything as against my nothing! What value, Madam?"
"Why, gentle idiot, to get an answer ask a question, always."
"I have asked it."
"But you can not guess that I might ask one? So, then, one answer for another, we might do—what you Americans call some business—eh? Will you answer my question?"
"Ask it, then."