"Now that you have seen me, monsieur," she rejoined, "do you still desire to make my acquaintance?"
"Do I desire it, entrancing creature! Ah! it is more than a desire now, it is a craving! it is more than a craving, it is——"
"Well, monsieur, I give you permission to call on me, I will receive your visits—but only on one condition."
"I agree beforehand to all conceivable conditions."
"There is only one, monsieur; but you must swear to abide by it; if you should fail, my door would be closed to you instantly."
"That fact should assure you of my obedience, madame; pray tell me what the condition is."
"First of all, monsieur, I must tell you my name: I am Madame de Sainte-Suzanne."
"De Sainte-Suzanne—what a charming name! You must be descended from that Suzanne whom two rakes tried to catch a glimpse of as she left her bath."
"My condition is, monsieur, that you will tell nobody—nobody, you understand—that you know me and that you call on me."
"Agreed, belle dame; although certainly one may well be proud to know you, although one is entitled to be vain of your acquaintance, from the instant that you forbid me to speak, I will not lisp a word."