"Yes, you have captivated him. And then, listen, you have told me that
you were brought up in a country-house."
"Yes; why?"
"Then you must know something about agriculture?"
"Yes."
"Well, talk to him about gardening and the crops. He is very fond of
that sort of thing."
"Good; I will not forget."
She left him, after kissing him to an indefinite extent, the duel having
stimulated her affection.
Duroy thought, as he made his way to the office, "What a strange being.
What a feather brain. Can one tell what she wants and what she cares
for? And what a strange household. What fanciful being arranged the
union of that old man and this madcap? What made the inspector marry
this giddy girl? A mystery. Who knows? Love, perhaps." And he concluded:
"After all, she is a very nice little mistress, and I should be a very
big fool to let her slip away from me."