"Gif me your hand, mein frent."
"And yet, I confess that I have the greatest desire to see her and speak with her."
"Ach, ja! I untershtand; and so haf I; to ask her vhy she haf forbid us to go to te Sordevilles."
"I should not be sorry to know that. But I want to talk to her about something which interests me more."
The baron drew back with a frown, and muttered:
"You haf a teclaration to make to her—in secret—mit mystery!"
"Sapristi! you are infernally tenacious in your ideas, baron. Once more, there is no question of a declaration! Why on earth have you taken it into your head that I am likely to fall in love with Madame Dauberny? Would it please you very much if I should?"
"Ach! no! no! Gif me your hand, mein frent; I haf pin wrong. I am one pig fool!"
The baron was still holding my hand, when a calèche stopped beside us and a voice said:
"Would you like to take a short drive with me, messieurs?"