“May I know, madame, why your hand was in Monsieur Dulac’s, while the room was dark?”
“My hand in Monsieur Dulac’s? You dreamed it!”
“No, madame, I did not dream it; I saw it, and saw it very distinctly.”
“I do not know but that Monsieur Dulac did take my hand, by accident or in jest. I certainly did not notice it! So that was why you rushed up like a madman, and spoke to me in a threatening tone, as if you were going to strike me; that is why you drew everybody’s eyes upon me, is it? No one accustomed to society was ever before known to behave as you did!”
“Madame, when I consider myself insulted, I pay little heed to society. There was a time when you thought and acted in the same way. I do not know what sort of jesting Monsieur Dulac presumes to indulge in with you, but I warn you that I don’t like it. I request you not to allow it any more.”
“You expect me to mention your idiotic ideas to that young man? I will do nothing of the kind! It is perfectly absurd.”
“Very well; whenever it suits me, I shall not hesitate to turn the fellow out of doors.”
“I advise you to do it! The idea of turning that young man out of doors because he is pleasant and agreeable and attentive to me! You only lack that, to give you a most excellent reputation in society!”
“Be careful, madame, that you do not give me a reputation which I should like still less.”
“It seems to me that it is hardly worth while to go with me in order to indulge in such scenes. Formerly you went your way, monsieur, and I went mine.”