“A little—not too much.”
“A little—how much, for example? So? two fingers, three fingers, half a metre?”
“No, do not make fun of me. You know how much I love you; you know you are my very life, that without you I should die. Everything I say to you proceeds from the immense love I bear you. I, you see, am jealous of you.”
“But not I of you, for I esteem you too much, and should fear to offend you by any doubts. A woman can always protect herself without the aid of an ally; and when she has a husband whom she loves and esteems he supports her in the course of attacks, menaces, and gallantry. And together they defend their own honour and felicity.”
“Yes, dear, you have every reason in the world ... but to make me happy, be a little jealous.”
“Yes, dear, you shall teach me the way to become so.”
And then those two happy creatures interrupted their dinner to throw themselves into each other’s arms, and make peace after this trivial battle.
He had loosened her handkerchief and had covered her neck with a whole string of kisses.
“See, Nina, I am jealous of this handkerchief which kisses your shoulders all through the day, and so I take its place. Do you not see, Nina, that I begin to obey you? I am taking the first lesson in jealousy.”
⁂