"Why do you doubt it?" exclaimed Charmian warmly. "What reason have you to doubt it? You have not heard my husband's music to your libretto yet, not a note of it."
"No. And that enables me—"
"Enables you to do what? Why didn't you finish your sentence, Monsieur Gillier?"
"Madame, if you are going to be angry with me—"
"Angry! My dear Monsieur Gillier, I am not angry! What can you be thinking of?"
"I feared by your words, your manner—"
"I assure you—besides, what is there to be angry about? But do finish what you were saying."
"I was about to say that the fact that I have not yet heard any of your husband's music to my libretto enables me, without any offense—personal offense—pronouncing any sort of judgment—to approach you—" He paused. The expression in her eyes made him pause. He fidgeted rather uneasily in his chair, and looked away from her to the fountain.
"Yes?" said Charmian.
"Madame?"