"I would like to know what you prefer."
"Oh! I like everything."
"And there is nothing that I don't like; so the matter can be easily arranged."
Dupont ordered a choice, toothsome dinner, with a great variety of wines. He attempted to sit on a sofa beside Georgette; but she compelled him to sit opposite her, on the other side of the table.
"You would be in my way at dinner," she said; "and I don't like to be hampered when I am eating."
"I must not annoy her," said Dupont to himself. "I must go softly, for I have much to be forgiven for. Let's wait till the generous wines arrive."
Georgette did honor to the dinner; but she drank very little, although her companion did his utmost to induce her to, crying, as he filled her glass with beaune première:
"Above all things, don't put water in this wine; it would be downright murder! It's the most delicious beaune there is."
"That makes absolutely no difference to me," replied the girl. "I never drink pure wine. I prefer it with water."
"That's all right with common wines. But this, which costs four francs a bottle—it's sacrilege to put water in it!"