Honorine waited expecting that her neighbor would speak to her, but he maintained silence and seemed absorbed in his reflections.
The young woman, who was very desirous to talk, decided to begin.
“Have you lived in this part of the country long, monsieur?”
“A little more than nine years, madame.”
“And you live alone on your estate?”
“Practically alone.”
“You abandoned the world very young.”
“One finds it easy to leave what one despises!”
“Oh! pray let me believe, monsieur, that that contempt does not include the whole world.”
“Doubtless there are exceptions, madame; but I have been so cruelly tried, that I am quite justified in entertaining a bad opinion of men.”