Newton was summoned to the boudoir, where Monsieur de Fontanges, who spoke very good English, received from him the history of his disasters, and translated them into French, to gratify the curiosity of his wife.
“C’est un beau garçon,” observed Monsieur de Fontanges. “Mais quoi faire? Il est prisonnier. Il faut l’envoyer à mon frère, le gouverneur.”
“Il est joli garçon,” replied Madame de Fontanges. “Donnez-lui des habits, Fontanges; et ne l’envoyez pas encore.”
“Et pourquoi, mon amie?”
“Je voudrois lui apprendre le Français.”
“Cela ne se peut pas, ma chère; il est prisonnier.”
“Cela se peut, Monsieur de Fontanges,” replied the lady.
“Je n’ose pas,” continued the husband.
“Moi j’ose,” replied the lady, decidedly.
“Je ne voudrois pas,” said the gentleman.