“Well,” said she, “are you still so violently fond of Miss Cunegund of Thunder-ten-tronckh?”

“Yes, madam,” replied Candide.

The Marchioness said to him with a tender smile, “You answer me like a young man born in Westphalia; a Frenchman would have said, 'It is true, madam, I had a great passion for Miss Cunegund; but since I have seen you, I fear I can no longer love her as I did.'“

“Alas! madam,” replied Candide, “I will make you what answer you please.”

“You fell in love with her, I find, in stooping to pick up her handkerchief which she had dropped; you shall pick up my garter.”

“With all my heart, madam,”