I kissed Marcoline affectionately, so that she should not notice my ill humour, and asked how she and the countess spent the night.
“Capitally,” said she. “The countess is charming, and we amused ourselves all night with the tricks of two amorous women.”
“Is she pretty or old?”
“She is only thirty-three, and, I assure you, she is as pretty as my friend Mdlle. Crosin. I can speak with authority for we saw each other in a state of nature.”
“You are a singular creature; you were unfaithful to me for a woman, and left me to pass the night by myself.”
“You must forgive me, and I had to sleep with her as she was the first to declare her love.”
“Really? How was that?”
“When I gave her the first of my kisses she returned it in the Florentine manner, and our tongues met. After supper, I confess, I was the first to begin the suggestive caresses, but she met me half-way. I could only make her happy by spending the night with her. Look, this will shew you how pleased she was.”
With these words Marcoline drew a superb ring, set with brilliants, from her finger. I was astonished.
“Truly,” I said, “this woman is fond of pleasure and deserves to have it.”