All the same, my compliments to you.

As late as possible, eh?
That's best, though life isn't always amusing; ah! no, by no means." As Gervaise listened to him, she draw back, afraid he would grab her and take her away in the box.

She remembered the time before, when he had told her he knew of women who would thank him to come and get them.
Well, she wasn't ready yet.

_Mon Dieu!_ The thought sent chills down her spine.

Her life may have been bitter, but she wasn't ready to give it up yet.