The young man obeyed.
"Cousin," he said, "I have the honour of obeying the invitation which you deigned to send me."
"Ah, that is true," she answered; "I thank you for your kindness, and more especially for your punctuality, cousin."
"I could not display too great eagerness in obeying you, cousin, I have so rarely the happiness of seeing you."
"Is that a reproach you are addressing to me, cousin?"
"Oh, by no means, Madam. I in no way claim the right of offering you what you are pleased to call reproaches: you are at liberty to act as you please, and to dispose of me."
"Oh, oh, my dear cousin, I fancy if I were disposed to make trial of this noble devotion, I should expose myself to shame and you would refuse me point blank."
"Now we have it," the young man thought and added aloud, "it is my most sincere desire to please you in everything, cousin. I pledge you my word as a gentleman, and no matter what you may ask of me, I will obey you."
"I am much inclined to take you at your word, don Ludovic," she said, leaning down to him with a delicious smile.
"Do so, cousin, and you will see from my promptitude in obeying you, that I am the most devoted of your slaves."