Page:The Way of a Virgin.djvu/193

Rh "Thou art wrong, for thou wilt begin to lie from the moment thou hast a lover."

"Will my lover also tell lies?"

"Assuredly he will."

"Were the matter truly so, I should entertain a bad opinion of love; but I do not believe it, for I love my dear friend here, and I never conceal the truth from her."

"But thou dost not love a man as thou lovest a woman."

"Indeed one doth."

"Not so, for thou dost not go to bed with a woman, but thou wilt with thy husband."

"No matter—my love would be the same."

"What? Thou wouldst not rather sleep with me than with M—— M——?"

"Nay, in sooth, for thou art a man and would see me."

"Thou dost not desire a man to see thee, then?"

"Nay."

"Thou knowest that thou art ugly, then?"

At this she turned to her friend with a highly vexed air.

"Am I truly ugly?" she asked.

"Nay, my heart," said M—— M——, bursting with laughter; 'tis quite the other way. Thou art very pretty." With these words, she took her on her knee and embraced her tenderly.

"Thy corset is too tight, mademoiselle; 'tis not possible to have so small a waist as thine."

"Monsieur is mistaken. Thou canst put thy hand there and see for thyself."

"I do not believe it."

M—— M—— then held her close to the grille and