"No!" he said, with a smile, "it is only a Frenchman who would despise the woman who surrendered herself. Other nations treat love more seriously. They do not consider the gift of one's self in the light of a fall."
Marianne looked at him full in the face with a strange expression.
"What, then, if I love you well enough to become your mistress?"
"I should still esteem you enough to become your husband!"
She felt her color change.
Was it a sport on the part of Monsieur de Rosas? Why had he spoken to her thus? Had he reflected upon what he had just said?
José added in a very gentle tone:
"Will you permit me to ask you a question, Marianne?"
"You may ask me anything. I will frankly answer all your questions."
"What was Monsieur Sulpice Vaudrey doing at your uncle's the other day? Was he there to see you?"