"You will still be alone in your great caravansary, since you relegate me to a separate building!"
"Ah! my friend, what about the proprieties? Is it not a very bold step at the best for me, a married woman, to bring a young man to stay at my house in the country? The world doesn't know that we are only Orestes and Pylades, Damon and Pythias. But I don't care a snap of my finger for what people may say!"
"And your husband?"
"My husband! I fancy that he doesn't even know that I am in the country.—You have seen the house, now come and see the garden. But wait a minute! wait! my rustic cap! Oh! it is so nice to be comfortable!"
She substituted for her city bonnet a little straw cap with a visor, which she wore a little on one side; she was captivating so. I found in the hall several hats for the country, of different shapes.
"Take your choice," said my hostess.
"What! are these part of the furniture?"
"No, I brought them all for my own use—to try—you know, I dress like a man sometimes."
"So you told me; but I have never seen you in masculine costume."
"I'll put it on some morning, to stroll about the fields with you. Oh! I look like a scamp then, I tell you! Come, monsieur, choose a hat."