"Ah! I am delighted to find you, my dear Rochebrune!"
"And I to see you. Shall we go upstairs?"
"It isn't worth while; we can talk as well, walking."
"Very good. What have you to tell me?"
"I was coming to talk to you about Madame Dauberny. Ah! my friend, what a woman! what a physique—to arouse passions!"
"I see that you are in love with her already. Well! did you overtake her yesterday?"
"Yes, I overtook her on the street. She didn't want to accept my arm, but I insisted, and she yielded."
"Ah! she took it, did she? And you escorted her home?"
"Naturally."
"And—and—how does your passion progress?"