"Ha!" then slowly and as if in soliloquy, "it must be nice to have a gentleman say such things to you—in downright earnest."
"I am at your service," replied Bouvard.
"You?"
"Yes, I."
"What a joke!"
"Not the least in the world!"
And, having cast a look about him, he caught her from behind round the waist and kissed the nape of her neck vigorously.
She became very pale as if she were going to faint, and leaned one hand against a tree, then opened her eyes and shook her head.
"It is past."
He looked at her in amazement.