"What are they?"
"Well, in the first place—her own indifference. Paul makes about as much impression on her, I believe, as a table."
"Next?"
"Next? Why, that's all!"
"You said 'several reasons,'—you have given me one; let us hear what the others are."
"Oh, no!" said Madame de Rueille, "it was just my way of speaking."
"Nonsense! you are not clever at telling untruths, my dear Bertrade; I am pretty sure I know what you thought!"
"I don't think you do."
"Well, you'll see! You were thinking that one of the reasons why Bijou will never take any notice of Paul is—"
"Because he is married."