"Why should you suppose that what I said about my friend was only a pretext to speak of my own feelings? Why should you dare to think that I have any intention of accepting your attentions?" "Very well, just as you please. You can fancy that the eccentric man was speaking and not I." "Ah, that is sensible; now at least we can understand each other. Would you have told my friend that she was asking you to be a traitor, and if she said yes, what would you answer?" "That, for her sake, I would gladly commit every sort of infidelity,--but not treason." "And if my friend would only bestow her favours at such a price?" "That could never be." "Why not?" "Because I would only consider such a proposition as a joke, and would obstinately refuse to be a party to such pleasantry." "Why would it be a pleasantry?" "Because there is not a woman living who would be capable of such a base thought." "That is putting it very strong." "That is what I think." "No living woman?" "Not one." "But I just told you that I gave such advice to my friend." "Permit me to think that you are mistaken." "You are unbearable! The thought was mine, and that was the advice I gave her, I tell you." "It is impossible for me to believe you; I know how high-minded you are. You should not expect me to believe you when you so slander yourself." "Suppose I should say such a thing to you?" "To me?" "Yes, to you." "I cannot suppose what would be impossible." "But I do say it to you now." "Seriously? You say such a thing seriously? You offer me such conditions?" "Yes; seriously." "Well, then, you are trying to make a fool of me." "You are very humble, certainly." "On the contrary, I am very proud to prove to you that I am incapable of such a piece of cowardice. But come, let us quit speaking of others; let us talk of ourselves. Accept my attentions; take me unconditionally, or rather on condition of making me the most faithless of men." "And those letters?" "Again? Don't you suppose I can see that all this is a very clever trick to prove me; to find out if I am perfectly trustworthy; that you can safely confide in my discretion and my love? Between you and me, I think it augurs well for our future happiness,--all these precautions on your part." "You are not wanting in confidence, at least." "Do you consider it vanity to hope and desire?" "Those letters? Those letters?" "Now you are joking again. As to this trial you have seen fit to submit me to, I forgive you for it, for what woman could ever have a particle of confidence, esteem, or affection for a man who was capable of such a treacherous act? Would she not be certain that at some future day her own letters--?" "Certainly; she might fear the same fate for her letters if she were ever fool enough to write any," said Madame de V----, with a self-possession that astounded me.