“I felt still in the dark; yet conjectured it was some love story. I have always been passionately fond of romance, and you?”
“That depends entirely on circumstances.”
“Say at once you detest love tales. However, you must resign yourself to hearing this one.”
“I should name my objections at once, were I not afraid of wounding your feelings, so I prefer bravely taking my part and listening to your story; ennui does not kill.”
“So it is said, yet I have known people who have almost succumbed to ennui. But to return to the fox.
“ ‘Sir,’ I said, ‘you interest me deeply. You seem unhappy. Can I serve you in any way?’
“ ‘Thank you,’ he replied, ‘my grief must remain unalleviated. No one has the power to make her return my love.’
“ ‘Cocotte?’ I said quietly.
“ ‘Cocotte,’ he replied, sighing.
“The greatest service one can render a disconsolate lover, next to destroying him, is to listen to him. He is happy while recounting his troubles. Knowing the truth of this, I asked and obtained his confidence.