"Hush, don't interrupt me. I perceived at the fair two young men, youths, you know; some of those faces which seem to say, 'Who will come and do me?' those faces without mischief which are a veritable good fortune for men of parts. The poor little fellows were playing at skittles."
"Come to the point. You are abusing my patience."
"This all leads up to the matter which regards you. I approached the innocents and showed them a new stroke which they did not know, I'll answer for it. In short, we dined together, and I only took a pistole from them for the lesson, which was very reasonable, but if they had refused me I would have spitted them both like sparrows. Don't stamp your foot, I'm nearing the end. I was returning gayly, according to my habit, when I met a country woman in the street who seemed to me agreeable, although I saw little of her. Her carriage was free and unconstrained, she was big and strong; I was very much taken by her. I caught up to her and I said some charming things to her. Would you believe it? not a word in response; I repeated them, still no answer; I approached her and pinched her, and, my dear fellow, I received a most vigorous slap in the face."
"Well, hang it! she did well. Finish your chatter if you don't wish to receive a second."
"Stunned for an instant, I soon recovered my wits. I pursued the traitress. I saw her enter—where do you suppose?—your house."
"She came into my house? It is impossible; you are deceived."
"No, by all the devils! I know your dwelling well enough. She came in by the alleyway and shut the door immediately."
"What time was it then?"
"About seven o'clock. And I can answer for it that she didn't come out, for I haven't stirred from the front of the house."
"What, wretch, that woman has been so long in my house, and you only now come to tell me?"