"'A good idea. I will do so.'
"Two weeks later Giovanni came to see me in Paris, and made amorous proposals to me. I still have to laugh when I think of his discomfited face at the sweeping courtesy I made him. It happened only three days ago. What do you say to my story?"
"I should have to know the end of it."
"Nothing ever ends. Everything keeps on."
"Well, it is an exception, that is all I can say."
"I admit it. But out of what are rules made, if you please? Is it not out of exceptions when there are enough of them? I bring my contribution. You ought in return to tell me some fine story of absolute monogamic fidelity."
"Such things exist."
"Assuredly. I know a case. Never were two mortals more unhappy. Their whole life was one prolonged battle."
"From which you conclude——?"
"That we are all exceptions, my dear friend, and that we all establish our great intangible laws only for other people, reserving the right to take or to leave as much of them for ourselves as we choose. Good luck. Good-bye!"