"Yes. You know, madame, there is a proverb that warns us against playing with fire; and, to me, you are the fire at this moment."
"You have already proved to my satisfaction that you are not afraid of it. Do all women cause you such terror? Frankly, monsieur, I do not believe it!"
"Oh, no, madame! there are some with whom one cannot encounter anything more dangerous than an ignis fatuus—and that is not to be feared."
"A truce to jesting, Monsieur Adhémar; I want to see your wrist, and satisfy myself that it is really well."
Adhémar pulled up his sleeve and showed her the wrist that had been burned. The better to examine it, Nathalie must needs take the hand which was held out, and draw it toward her; and that hand, when she touched it, presumed to press hers very tenderly, thereby causing keen emotion to the young woman, who faltered:
"It is cured, but you have a great scar there. Mon Dieu! shall you always have it?"
"I hope so!"
"What do you say? you hope so? Why?"
"Because it will remind me of the day when I had the good fortune to be of some little service to you."
"Some little service! Why do you say a little, when it is quite possible that you saved my life?"