"My motive is simply to know how you like our hostess."
"Hum, hum—without wishing to detract from her, you must confess that she is a woman very difficult to estimate, at first sight," said Croustillac, with some bitterness. "You cannot be surprised if I consider the subject before I answer your question. To-morrow I will tell you my opinion, if I am able to answer, myself."
"In your place I should not consider the subject," said the buccaneer. "I would accept, with eyes closed, all that she offered me, and I would wed her; for, by my faith, one cannot tell who will live or who die; tastes change with years. The days which succeed each other are dissimilar."
"Ah, well, have done with your proverbs and parables," said the Gascon, exasperated. "Why do you not marry her yourself?"
"I?"
"Yes, you!"
"Because I do not wish to die of laughter or have my eyes converted into lamps."
"And do you think that I wish to do so?"
"You?"
"Yes; why should I more than you wish to see the devil sign my contract, as this woman playfully says?"