"I have a favour to ask of you, Monsieur Simon, and I feel that I am very fortunate to meet you here."
"A favour! Of me?"
"Yes, monsieur, on the part of my mother. She dotes on your witty repartees and wishes to see you sometimes in her salon, if you will so honour us."
She had counted on gaining Father Simon over by her seductive flattery, but the old rogue only bowed courteously, smiled maliciously, and withdrew hastily to the other side of the room. He went up to Jacob and whispered:--
"She has been trying to burn me with incense right under my very nose. What a siren! To avoid her snares, stuff your ears with cotton, shut your eyes, and save yourself."
"For me," said Jacob, "there are neither sirens nor witches."
"There have been, however, many more than those in the Odyssey."
Muse knew better than to show too much interest in the man she was seeking to ensnare. She had Mathilde ask him to tell them something of his travels. Thanks to this diplomatic stratagem, Jacob joined them, and engaged in a lively conversation.
She saw that he was absorbed in Mathilde, and felt that he did not listen to her. Finding further efforts useless she arose to take leave. With a cold and polite tone she said to the young man only, that she would be happy to see him at her home, as if it was out of compliment to her friend.
"Man of ice," thought she, "in vain you seek to escape me. I shall subdue you. You will belong to me. Then we will square our account."