"I'm compromising Charlotte?—I?"
"Yes, you are compromising her. Everyone here is talking about it, and this evening again in the park at Royat you have been very—very light. Isn't that so, Bretigny?"
Paul answered: "Yes, Madame, I entirely share your sentiments."
Gontran turned his chair around, bestrode it like a horse, took a fresh cigar, lighted it, then burst out laughing.
"Ha! so then I am compromising Charlotte Oriol?"
He waited a few seconds to see the effect of his words, then added: "And who told you I did not intend to marry her?"
Christiane gave a start of amazement.
"Marry her? You? Why, you're mad!"
"Why so?"
"That—that little peasant girl!"