"I understand the moral!" said Edward to himself. "We would like to obtain all those things! The damsel seems to be decidedly calculating!" While making these reflections, the young man left his couch and planted himself in front of the chair occupied by Georgette; and there, with his head thrown back and one hand on his hip, he eyed her coolly and laughed in her face, saying: "Do you know that you're nobody's fool, my dear?" Georgette supported his stare and his question without the slightest trace of emotion; she simply rose from her chair and said: "I am very glad that you have so good an opinion of me, monsieur." "Pray keep your seat; do you think of running away already?" "Yes, monsieur; for I don't pass my time doing nothing, myself; I can't afford it." "One moment--let us talk a little. In the first place, you can't go away till I have paid you." "Oh! I am not worried! I'll trust you." "You might make a mistake.--Do give me a few seconds. It affords me much pleasure to talk with you." Edward took her hand, and she consented to resume her chair; whereupon he seated himself very close to her, saying: "Shall I tell you something?" "What is it?" "I am in love with you!" "Ha! ha! ha! what folly!" "It may perhaps be folly! But, whatever it is, it's the truth all the same! Yes, I am in love with you. That rather surprises me; for I haven't been able to fall in love for some time past. It must be that there is in you something--I don't know what--more enticing than in other women. Look you! I verily believe, God forgive me! that it's your little petticoat that has turned my head!" "Then, monsieur, I will run upstairs and send you the petticoat, so that you may have nothing more to wish for." "Hum! you scamp! No, that would not be enough for me! I want the petticoat and all it contains!--What a sweet little hand!" "Oh! monsieur, don't touch me, I beg! I have told you before that I don't like such manners." "That is true; I keep forgetting that you are a vestal! I am so unaccustomed to meeting such!" "Oh! you have a very bad opinion of women! Surely you must have met some virtuous ones, whom you seduced and then deserted, like the others!" "It is possible; I don't remember. With me the past is always in the wrong." "Oh! I am sure of that! That is why it is necessary to take precautions for the future." "What an amusing creature! Do you [_tu_] know that you [_tu_] are most amusing?" "I forbid you to _thou_ me, monsieur. You have no excuse for doing it." "Because you are not my mistress yet? That is true; but you will be before long; it amounts to the same thing." "No, monsieur, I shall not be your mistress. I tell you again not to talk to me in that way; if you do, I shall go away and not come again." "Come, come, be calm, Mademoiselle Georgette! you shall be treated respectfully. Tell me, darling, you will take me for your lover, won't you?" "No, monsieur." "What! Am I so very disagreeable to you?"