“Certain persons have asked me to beg you to stay a few days longer, or at least to sup here to-morrow night.”
“Very good. We will talk of the few days more at supper to-morrow.”
“Victory!” said the marquis; and Veronique seemed very grateful to me for granting her request. When our guest was gone, I asked my new housekeeper if I might send Costa to bed.
“As my sister is with me, there can be no ground for any suspicion.”
“I am delighted that you consent; now I am going to talk to you.”
She proceeded to do my hair, but she gave no answer to my soft speeches. When I was on the point of getting into bed she wished me good night, and I tried to kiss her by way of return. She repulsed me and ran to the door, much to my surprise. She was going to leave the room, when I addressed her in a voice of grave politeness.
“I beg you will stay; I want to speak to you; come and sit by me. Why should you refuse me a pleasure which after all is a mere mark of friendship?”
“Because, things being as they are, we could not remain friends, neither could we be lovers.”
“Lovers! why not, we are perfectly free.”
“I am not free; I am bound by certain prejudices which do not trouble you.”