“I don’t think anything about it, Renoux; I know.”
“I am afraid you have been misled, Barres. And it is natural enough.”
“Why?”
“Because,” said Renoux serenely, “she is very beautiful, very clever, very young, very appealing.... Tell me, my friend, where did you meet her?”
Barres looked him in the eyes:
“Where did you learn that I had ever met her?”
“Through the ordinary channels which, if you will pardon me, I am not at liberty to discuss.”
“All right. It is sufficient that you know I have met her. Now, where did I meet her?”
“I don’t know,” said Renoux candidly.
“How long have I known her then?”