“What did you feel?”

“I cannot say; a kind of languid sensation in all my body. A pleasure such as I have experienced sometimes in dreams.”

“And when you awoke after these dreams, how did you feel?”

“I was quite exhausted.”

“Did you never have that sensation except in a dream?”

“Yes, indeed, just now, when you kissed me.”

“Am I then the first man who ever kissed you?”

“In that way, you are. My father often kissed me, but it was not at all the same thing.”

“Then you are still a virgin?”

“Virgin, what does that mean?”

Evidently, from her tone she was sincere!”

I took pity, or rather I felt respect for that innocence which then put itself so entirely at my mercy. It seemed as if it were a crime to rob her of that sweet treasure, which she unconsciously possessed, and which, when once given away, is lost forever.

“And now let us talk seriously, my dear girl,” I said, releasing her from my embrace.

“Oh, you are not going to send me away, surely?”

“No, I am too happy to have you here.” Then, after a pause: “Listen,” I said, “this is what we are going to do. We will go and fetch your clothes.”

“Very well, and where shall I go?”

“That's my business. First of all let us go to your room.”

“And Monsieur Beruchet?”

“It is probable that he has left, for it is nearly three o'clock in the morning.”

“What shall we do in my room?”

“We will take away all your things.”

“And then?”

“And then I shall take you with your little luggage to a room in town, whence you will write to Monsieur Beruchet a letter which I shall dictate. Are you willing?”

“Oh, I shall do as you bid me.”

How charming this confidence of innocence and youth! The darling girl, she would certainly have done all I bade her, there and then.