"Our sudden intimacy surprises you, does it not, monsieur? But why should it? Sometimes the richest are the most generous. They do not wait to be asked; they offer their largess to you of their own accord. That was the case with Herminie this evening."
"I understand, mademoiselle. You knew no one here, and Mlle. Herminie—"
"Seeing me alone, had the goodness to come to me. This can not surprise you very much, however."
"Why not, mademoiselle?"
"Because a moment ago you, monsieur, were actuated by the same charitable impulse in asking me to dance."
"Charitable? What an expression to use in this connection, mademoiselle!"
"It is the right one, however."
"Quite the contrary, mademoiselle."
"Come, admit it, monsieur. You ought always to tell the truth, you know."
"Frankly, mademoiselle," responded Olivier, smiling in his turn, "should I be performing an act of charity—allow me to make this comparison—in culling a forgotten or unseen flower?"