“But what do you think I am? I am neither maid nor duchess. I didn’t know you till to-day, and I am not responsible to you for my actions. Supposing one day I should become your mistress, you are bound to know that I have had other lovers besides you. If you make scenes of jealousy like this before, what will it be after, if that after should ever exist? I never met anyone like you.” “That is because no one has ever loved you as I love you.” “Frankly, then, you really love me?” “As much as it is possible to love, I think.” “And that has lasted since—?” “Since the day I saw you go into Susse’s, three years ago.” “Do you know, that is tremendously fine? Well, what am I to do in return?” “Love me a little,” I said, my heart beating so that I could hardly speak; for, in spite of the half-mocking smiles with which she had accompanied the whole conversation, it seemed to me that Marguerite began to share my agitation, and that the hour so long awaited was drawing near. “Well, but the duke?” “What duke?” “My jealous old duke.” “He will know nothing.” “And if he should?” “He would forgive you.” “Ah, no, he would leave me, and what would become of me?” “You risk that for someone else.” “How do you know?” “By the order you gave not to admit anyone to-night.” “It is true; but that is a serious friend.” “For whom you care nothing, as you have shut your door against him at such an hour.” “It is not for you to reproach me, since it was in order to receive you, you and your friend.” Little by little I had drawn nearer to Marguerite. I had put my arms about her waist, and I felt her supple body weigh lightly on my clasped hands. “If you knew how much I love you!” I said in a low voice. “Really true?” “I swear it.” “Well, if you will promise to do everything I tell you, without a word, without an opinion, without a question, perhaps I will say yes.” “I will do everything that you wish!” “But I forewarn you I must be free to do as I please, without giving you the slightest details what I do. I have long wished for a young lover, who should be young and not self-willed, loving without distrust, loved without claiming the right to it. I have never found one. Men, instead of being satisfied in obtaining for a long time what they scarcely hoped to obtain once, exact from their mistresses a full account of the present, the past, and even the future. As they get accustomed to her, they want to rule her, and the more one gives them the more exacting they become. If I decide now on taking a new lover, he must have three very rare qualities: he must be confiding, submissive, and discreet.” “Well, I will be all that you wish.” “We shall see.” “When shall we see?” “Later on.” “Why?” “Because,” said Marguerite, releasing herself from my arms, and, taking from a great bunch of red camellias a single camellia, she placed it in my buttonhole, “because one can not always carry out agreements the day they are signed.”