"Oh! but I was determined to come to Paris; I had made up my mind to do it; and when I make up my mind to do a thing, it's got to be done."
"That indicates a strong will."
"Yes, monsieur; I have a very strong one."
"And since you have been in Paris, have you found it pleasant?"
"So-so; not too pleasant! Certainly there are plenty of means of enjoyment in Paris, one has such a choice of pleasures! Plays, balls, promenades, concerts—all of them are delightful to those who can afford such diversions. But when you stay in your chamber all day long, and pass your evening working or reading, you hardly enjoy life in Paris."
"That is very true. But what prevents you from enjoying all these amusements that tempt you?"
"Can a woman who is all alone go about to plays and promenades?"
"No, certainly not; but you can have had no lack of cavaliers ready to offer you their arms."
"True; but I don't go with everybody, monsieur; I don't accept the arm of the first comer! Certainly, if I had chosen to listen to all the young men who have followed at my heels and overwhelmed me with their silly declarations of love,—love that seized them all of a sudden when they saw me walk along the street,—I should have had plenty of opportunities! But that isn't what I want!"
Dupont caressed his chin, saying to himself: