'Oh no!' laughed Zoë. 'I cannot imagine that my opinion of your age could make any difference to you. It was silly of me—only, for a man who has had so many adventures, you do look absurdly young!'
'So much the better, since my fighting days are over.'
'And since you are a sober, peace-loving merchant,' said Zoë, continuing the sentence for him. 'But are you so very sure, my lord? Would nothing make you draw your sword again and risk your life on your fencing? Nothing?'
'Nothing that did not affect my honour, I truly believe.'
'You would not do it for a woman's sake?' She turned to him, to watch his face, but its expression did not change.
'Three things can drive a wise man mad,—wine, women, and dice.'
'I daresay! Your lordship reckons us in good company. But that is no answer to my question.'
'Yes it is,' said Zeno with a laugh. 'Why should I do for a woman what I would not do for dice or wine?'
'But dice and wine never tempted you,' Zoë objected.
Zeno laughed louder.