He uttered this in a gallant and jesting tone, with a smile on his lips. She was astonished, and colored somewhat, stammering: “But really—I do not understand—you surprise me.”
He observed: “It is a declaration made to a lively tune, in order not to alarm you.”
They had sat down in front of one another. She took the matter pleasantly, saying: “A serious declaration?”
“Yes. For a long time I have been wanting to utter it—for a very long time. But I dared not. They say you are so strict, so rigid.”
She had recovered her assurance, and observed: “Why today, then?”
“I do not know.” Then lowering his voice he added: “Or rather, because I have been thinking of nothing but you since yesterday.”
She stammered, growing suddenly pale: “Come, enough of nonsense; let us speak of something else.”
But he had fallen at her feet so suddenly that she was frightened. She tried to rise, but he kept her seated by the strength of his arms passed round her waist, and repeated in a voice of passion: “Yes, it is true that I have