Honestly, do you care for me a little ?" "A great deal." "Then why did you deceive me ?" "My friend, if I were the Duchess So and So, if I had two hundred thousand francs a year, and if I were your mistress and had another lover, you would have the right to ask me; but I am Mlle.

Marguerite Gautier, I am forty thousand francs in debt, I have not a penny of my own, and I spend a hundred thousand francs a year.

Your question becomes unnecessary and my answer useless." "You are right," I said, letting my head sink on her knees; "but I love you madly." "Well, my friend, you must either love me a little less or understand me a little better.

Your letter gave me a great deal of pain.

If I had been free, first of all I would not have seen the count the day before yesterday, or, if I had, I should have come and asked your forgiveness as you ask me now, and in future I should have had no other lover but you.