Doubtless that question seemed embarrassing to her; it was some time before she answered, but at last I heard a _yes, monsieur_. "Had your heart never spoken before you saw me?" "I don't know, monsieur." "What! do you mean that you have been in love before?" "Oh! no, monsieur; I don't know anything about love." "Why, you do now, don't you?" "No, monsieur." "Then you don't love me?" "Yes, monsieur." "Would you prefer another to me?" "I don't know, monsieur." "Suppose you should be married to someone else, would you be sorry?" "I don't know, monsieur." "Then, why do you marry me?" "I don't know, monsieur." I nearly lost my patience; the woman would surely drive me mad with her gentleness. I began to be afraid that I had mistaken stupidity for innocence and awkwardness for timidity! But her hand trembled; probably she was afraid that she had angered me. I felt that I must control myself and not frighten her; that was not the way to attract her and win her confidence. "Pélagie." "Monsieur." "My dear girl, when you are going to marry a man, you mustn't call him _monsieur_." "What shall I say, then?" "Call me your _dear_; I hope always to be that." "Yes, my dear." "Has your aunt brought you up very strictly?" "Yes, my dear." "Don't you ever receive any young men at your house?" "No, my dear." "Do you like society?" "Yes, my dear." "When we are married, what would you like to do?" "Whatever you like, my dear." "Shall we remain here, or go to Paris to live?" "Oh! I don't care. But----" "Well! go on, don't be afraid to speak." "I think I should like Paris better." "In that case, I am delighted to agree with you." And I kissed her hand, to manifest a little affection. She hastily withdrew it. "Pélagie, a promised husband may kiss his betrothed's hand as much as he pleases." "Really?" "I give you my word." Instantly she offered me both hands. Her docility was charming; it was something, at all events. "Pélagie, what has your aunt ever said to you about me?" "She told me I might listen to you." "And then?" "That you had asked for my hand, and she had given it to you." "So she didn't consult you beforehand?" "No, my dear. What for?" "Why, to know if you liked me." "Oh! it wasn't worth while." "But it seems to me that if----" "I am too well bred not to obey my aunt." "But if I had been old, ugly, and gouty?" "That wouldn't have made any difference." "You would have married me just the same?" "Of course, if my aunt had said so." "Why, then you have no inclination for me?" "What is an inclination?" "What! has your aunt never told you that you must love your husband?" "Oh, yes!" "And be faithful to him?" "Oh, yes!" "Do whatever he wishes?" "Oh, yes!" "And never listen to other men?" "Oh, yes!" I could stand it no longer; I leaped from my chair. Pélagie, terribly frightened, rose also and looked at me. I paced the floor with long strides. But she came toward me.