"Yes, sir."
"Pray why? Is there any young lady you would like to marry? Ah," he murmurs, "you need not go far if that is the case."
And he glances tenderly at Belle-bouche, who smiles and blushes.
"I wish to be a man, that my movements may not be restricted. There is my guardian, who murmurs at my travelling about from county to county with only Jugurtha to drive me—as if Jugurtha couldn't protect me if there were any highwaymen or robbers."
Jacques laughs.
"But there are disadvantages connected with manhood," he says. "You are ignorant of them, and so think them slight."
"The prominent ones, if you please."
"You would have to make love—the active instead of passive, as at present."
"I would enjoy it."
"How would you commence, pray?"