"The neighbors! the neighbors! Why do you leave your window wide open? It makes it very inconvenient to talk with you. I will close it, with your permission."
"No, monsieur, no; I wish it to remain open; it does not interfere at all with my talking; and if the neighbors know that you are calling on me,—which they probably do, for everything that goes on in this house is seen,—why, they will see that nothing has happened that I need to conceal."
Monsieur de Mardeille frowned slightly; he shifted about in his chair, and said, after a brief pause:
"What a strange idea it is, to subject yourself like this to the inspection of other people, to whose opinion you ought to be indifferent, in any event!"
"Ah! so you think that one can afford to be indifferent to other people's opinion?"
"I think—I think that you treat me very cruelly!"
"And I, monsieur, think that I have conferred a great favor on you by consenting to receive you in my room—where I never receive any man. It seems that you are not at all grateful."
"Oh! pardon me, my lovely neighbor; certainly I am very grateful; but I thought—I hoped—— By the way, you have not told me yet whether my sentiments are offensive to you?"
"Why, monsieur, I hardly know you! And I don't allow myself to be electrified as easily as you do, I presume."
"Cruel girl! you make sport of my torments."