'Oh, Madame la Comtesse, you know not how devotedly.'
'Have you nothing better to tell me than all this farrago?' she asked coquettishly.
'Could I tell you ought that was more interesting?' said I, dropping my cheek upon her soft white shoulder.
'Interesting, mon Dieu! to yourself, perhaps.'
'And to you, too, dearest Countess; for you love me in return, I know that you do.'
'Well, perhaps I do love you a little; but remember that my love is like fortune.'
'How?'
'Fickle.'
'Alas! do not say so,' said I, clasping her waist. 'Do you remember a promise you made me?'
'A promise?' she reiterated, casting down her long lashes, 'I do not remember; what was it?'