"Then, if in the old days, if I had…."

"Yes. If you had…? I said nothing."

"I understood. You are cruel."

"Take it, then, that in the old days I was a fool."

"You are making it worse and worse."

"Poor Christophe! I can't say a word but it hurts you. I shan't say any more."

"You must…. Tell me…. Tell me something."

"Something?"

"Something kind."

She laughed.