"I'm sure I don't know," answered Miss Jones. "It's a village."
"Elle n'a pas le sens commun," thought Rochechouart. "Belle comme un ange et bête comme un âne!"
"But what is a convent?" inquired Miss Jones.
"Ah! I remember," said the Duke. "You have none in your country. A convent's a place where we shut up pretty young ladies to prevent their falling in love."
"But that must make them more inclined to fall in love when they come out," said Miss Jones.
"Elle n'est pas si bête que je croyais," thought Rochechouart. "C'est de l'ignorance.—I believe it does, indeed," answered he, "but we don't let them out till they're about to be married; and after that, they may fall in love as much as they like, you know."
"May they?" said Miss Jones, opening her eyes with astonishment.
"Certainly," replied he. "It's the custom; everybody does."
"Do they?" exclaimed Miss Jones, looking still more amazed.
"Mais que voulez vous?" said the Duke.
