"You are right," said I to the count. "I know that it is not easy to be confidential with me, for I am by nature very hypocritical, and, knowing myself, put very little faith in others. Consequently, it is quite impossible that any one should ever feel attracted towards me or that I should ever desire such sympathy."
The count looked as though he were seriously astonished; then he said, in an injured tone:
"Your dissimulation is not very dangerous, since you acknowledge it."
"But I have never wanted to be dangerous," said I, smiling.
"Ah, so; and where do you suppose you are going to find any friends if you talk like that?"
"Friends? And pray, what would I do with them?"
There probably was, in the expression of my features, in the tone of my voice, such an appearance of truthfulness, that the count was really surprised.
"Are you speaking seriously?" said he.
"Very seriously, I assure you; what is there to astonish you in such a question?"
"And you are not afraid to confess such an opinion?"