human
But are you quite sure, my dear Dubotté, said Mirotaine,
gpt
Perfectly sure; Seringat, apothecary at Pontoise. I passed nearly two months in that city, where I went to receive a legacy.--You remember, Nonore?
human
Oh! I should say so! I was unhappy enough while you were away; I did nothing but cry!
gpt
You cry far too much when I am away, my dear love; you must cure yourself of that habit, or it will make your eyes as red as a rabbit's.--As I was saying, during my stay at Pontoise I met Monsieur Seringat in society several times.
human
And he is married?
gpt
Very well married; to a very pretty woman, who, I am sure, does not amuse herself weeping when her husband is away. I had the pleasure of dancing with her at a party given by the notary of the town.
human
Ah! you bad man! you danced when I wasn't there!
gpt
My dear love, if when a man is married he is debarred from tripping the light fantastic except with his wife, it would be enough to disgust men with marriage forever! You absolutely refuse to realize that although a man has a wife he is none the less bound to be always polite and agreeable to other women. I have told you that a hundred times!
human
And what about his wife?
gpt
Parbleu! his wife has the same rights! And, above all things, she ought not to do as you do--keep herself in her husband's pocket all the time. Why, it's beastly form; it's as vulgar as the devil! You really must cure yourself of that; I don't want you to be vulgar.
human
But, continued Monsieur Mirotaine,
gpt
I cannot see what motive this Monsieur Seringat can have had to present himself in a respectable house, under a name which doesn't belong to him, and as a man who desires to marry?
human
He told you that he desired to marry?
gpt
He didn't breathe a word of it, said Aldegonde,
human
Then why do you say that he wants to marry; for, unless his wife is dead--and that seems to me most improbable, as she was young, and as fresh as a rose----
gpt
You noticed that, Philémon?
human
Oh! my dear love, don't comment in this way on every word I say, I beg you! I have noticed many other women since.
gpt
Ah! you villain! And what about me?
human
You! why, you are my wife, and that ought to satisfy you; it seems to me that that's something to say!--To cut it short, my dear Mirotaine, I tell you again, this whole business is probably a joke invented by my friend Dodichet, who passes his time looking about for somebody to make a fool of. And so, although he's an old schoolmate of mine, I have never asked him to my house; not that I am afraid of his nonsense; I have a wife, thank God! with whom I can sleep with both eyes shut!
gpt
And that is just what you do, my dear; you always sleep when you're with me.
human
Hush, Nonore! These domestic details are never talked about in company.
gpt
Why not, my dear?
human
Why, because----