"Unless, however, as the result of events which cannot be foreseen, I myself authorize you to see them again."
"Of course, if you authorize me, I must obey you."
"Nor do I want you to speak to a certain Monsieur Beauregard, whom you have met here, I believe?"
"Ah, yes! a gentleman with a bilious complexion!"
"He is a detestable fellow; he paid court to me long ago, and as I refused to listen to him, he spreads all sorts of slanders and falsehoods about me!"
"I guessed as much, belle dame; I said to myself: 'This man abuses Madame de Sainte-Suzanne too much not to have been rigorously treated by her.'—I won't talk with him any more, and if he should try to talk to me, I'll turn my back on him at once."
"Very good; you are submissive. Look you, I believe you will be an excellent husband."
"With you, who would not be? no man could fail to be!"
"By the way, there is one thing more; it is a weakness, a puerile fancy, but I am set upon it nevertheless."
"Speak; I am here to obey."