Chapter I

Oho! now I am a villain! You flatter me, Rosette, I
haven't that honor. I am a blithesome bourgeois, alas!
and I have never committed the least crime; I have done a
foolish thing, perhaps, in loving you to distraction; that
is all.--Are you absolutely determined to make me repent
that?--I have loved you and I love you now as much as I
can. Since I have been your lover I have always walked
in your shadow: I have given you all my time, my days
and my nights. I have indulged in no high-flown phrases
with you because I don't care for them except when they
are written; but I have given you a thousand proofs of my
affection. I won't speak of the most scrupulous fidelity,
for that goes without saying; but I have lost a pound and
three-quarters since you have been my mistress. What more
do you want? Here I am in your bed; I was here yesterday,
I shall be here to-morrow. Is that the way a man acts
with a woman he doesn't love? I do whatever you want; you
say: "Go," and I go; "stay," and I stay; I am the most
admirable lover in the world, it seems to me.

ROSETTE.

That is just what I complain of--you are the most perfect
lover in the world.

I.

What have you to reproach me for?

ROSETTE.

Nothing; and I would prefer to have some reason to
complain of you.

I.

This is an extraordinary quarrel.

ROSETTE.

It's much worse than that.--You don't love me.--I can
do nothing about it, nor can you.--What remedy have I
for that? Certainly I would prefer to have something to
forgive you for.--I would scold you; you would apologize
as best you could and we should make up.

I.

That would be all clear gain for you. The greater the
crime, the more imposing the reparation.

ROSETTE.

You know very well, monsieur, that I am not yet reduced to
that, and that if I chose, at this moment, although you
don't love me and we are quarrelling--

I.

Yes, I agree that it is purely the result of your kindness
of heart.--Be a little kind now; that would be better than
syllogizing over our heads as we are doing.

ROSETTE.

You want to cut short a conversation that embarrasses you;
but by your leave, my good friend, we will be content with
talking.

I.

That's a cheap repast.--I assure you that you are making
a mistake, for you are distractingly pretty, and I have
sensations.

ROSETTE.

Which you can describe some other time.

I.

Aha! my adorable, you have become a little Hyrcanian
tigress, have you? your cruelty to-day is beyond
words!--Have you been taken with the fever to set yourself
up as a vestal? It would be an amusing whim.

ROSETTE.

Why not? stranger whims have been known; but this
much is sure, I shall be a vestal so far as you are
concerned.--Understand, monsieur, that I give myself only
to people who love me or who I think love me.--You are in
neither position.--Allow me to rise.

I.

If you rise, I shall rise too.--You will have the trouble
of going back to bed, that's all.

ROSETTE.

Let me go!

I.

_Pardieu_, no!

Rosette (_struggling)._

Oh! you shall let me go!

I.

I venture, madame, to assure you of the contrary.

ROSETTE (_seeing that she is not the stronger)._

All right! I will stay! you squeeze my arms so
tight!--What do you want of me?

I.

I think you know.--I would not allow myself to put in
words what I allow myself to do; I have too much respect
for decency.

ROSETTE (_already beyond the power to defend herself_).

On condition that you will love me dearly--I surrender.

I.

It's a little late to strike your flag, when the enemy is
already in the citadel.

ROSETTE (_half swooning, throwing her arms around my
neck_).

Unconditionally. I rely on your generosity.