"It is rather singular, and that poor little thing whom we took so much trouble to bring here, what has she done with herself since yesterday?"
"She's slept the same as we have."
"Ah, my dear Marcel, it's easily seen that you have not studied the sex. Sleep!—a woman who is waiting her vanquisher for the first time? She would sooner keep awake all night than go to sleep."
"But when the vanquisher doesn't come, it's necessary for her to do something."
"Never! never I tell you. Wait, here's an example: I had once arranged a meeting with a baroness on the borders of the Seine, near the Tour de Nesle; that also was in winter, and it was horribly cold. Unforeseen events—a duel—prevented my meeting my beauty. I was wounded, and spent eight days in bed. On the ninth, as I passed the neighborhood indicated, by chance, whom should I see there?"
"Your baroness?"
"Exactly. But, the poor woman, she had been frozen for four days, and that because she would not leave the place of rendezvous."
"Our dame has a good fire and everything that she can desire; she won't freeze while awaiting my master."
"What do you say, Marcel; shall I go upstairs and chat pleasantly with her to distract her mind a little?"
"No, indeed, that would be displeasing to monsieur le marquis."