"Your dear Ulrique Eugenie is not yet thirty eight years old, and even though you are two years younger, I do not think that should make any difference."
"On the contrary, on the contrary," grumbled her husband, chuckling inwardly.
"I do not know but what your words have a double meaning; but Fabian, we must not quarrel, let us become reconciled, there is my hand."
"Your heart ever overflows with the milk of human kindness, my dear," said he.
"Thank you, my dear husband,—but can you imagine what I really intended to say?"
"Indeed I cannot."
"I intended to say, should you ever cast your eyes upon another—"
"God forbid!"
"You may well say God forbid, am I not your wife, who will not allow her rights to be trodden under foot?"
"Am I not aware of that?"