But love must be a pleasure, and if I do not find in it the satisfaction of what you call my capriciousness, but which is really my desire, my life, my love, I do not want it; I prefer to live alone.
You are astonishing! My caprices! Is there anything else in life?
Your foxhunt, isn't that capricious ?" He replied, very sincerely: "If I had not promised, I swear to you, Therese, that I would sacrifice that small pleasure with great joy." She felt that he spoke the truth.

She knew how exact he was in filling the most trifling engagements, yet realized that if she insisted he would not go.

But it was too late: she did not wish to win.

She would seek hereafter only the violent pleasure of losing.

She pretended to take his reason seriously, and said: "Ah, you have promised!" And she affected to yield.
Surprised at first, he congratulated himself at last on having made her listen to reason.