"Since you insist on it—well, I have never been what you call in love; is that clear?"
"Perfectly; well, that's just the difference between you and Don Zeno Cabral, that he is in love."
"Pardieu! The good and important news that you tell me, my dear duke!—after an hour, I am waiting for it."
"Agreed; but wait the conclusion."
"Let us have the conclusion, then."
"Here it is. It has been said, a century ago, by a fabulist of our nation, in a charming way, in a fable that I will someday read to you—"
"But the conclusion!" cried the general, stamping with impatience.
"Hum! How lively you are, my dear general," replied the duke, imperturbably, amused by the exasperation of his companion. "Listen; it is not long, but it is in verse. Calm yourself; there are but two lines:"
"'Amour, amour! Quand tu nous tiens,
On peut bien dire: Adieu, prudence.'"[1]
"So you understand?"