"Why, it seems to me that you do not consider it too bad, monsieur le marquis, as it does not prevent you from coming out."
"Ah! but I have not come here to meet a lady—quite the contrary!"
"Who told you that I was here with that purpose?"
"Who? You would be greatly surprised if I should tell you that it was the very person who gave you the rendezvous!"
Léodgard with difficulty restrained an outburst of rage, and replied:
"I do not understand you, monsieur le marquis!"
"You do not understand me, count? That surprises me!—No matter, I will explain myself more clearly.—There are gentlemen to whom nothing is sacred, and who do not hesitate to pay their respects to other men's wives. Their number is not small, I am aware! But it is less common to see a gallant, after refusing to marry a nobly born and beautiful lady, presume to make love to her as soon as she has become the wife of another man.—You must agree that a man need be extremely self-conceited to believe that he will succeed in obtaining a hearing then!"
"Monsieur le marquis——"
"But that is what you have done, count, failing to perceive that the lady was laughing at you, and that she joyfully grasped the opportunity to give you a lesson which you deserve."
"Enough, marquis, enough! I take lessons from no one!"