She stared up at him incredulously. 'But – but don't you think I'm beautiful?' 'Very!' 'Well, I know I am,' she said candidly. 'Ancilla thinks I shouldn't say so – and I meant not to, on account of losing some of my beauty when I do. At least, that's what Ancilla said, but I don't see how it could be so, do you?' 'No, indeed; quite absurd! You do very right to mention the matter.' She thought this over, darkly suspicious, and finally demanded: 'Why?' 'People are so unobservant!' he answered in dulcet accents. She broke into a trill of delicious laughter. 'Oh, abominable! You are the horridest creature! I'll have no more to do with you!
In this scene, the character expresses her confidence in her beauty, questioning whether others perceive it as she does. She challenges another character, seeking validation and revealing her inner thoughts about beauty and self-perception. Despite being cautioned by Ancilla to remain modest to preserve her beauty, she finds it difficult to comprehend that speaking about her beauty could diminish it.
The dialogue unfolds with a mix of flirtation and humor as the other character supports her self-assuredness. However, her playful response to his compliments reveals her complex feelings about beauty and the opinions of others. Their banter highlights her spirited nature and adds a light-hearted tone to the conversation, showcasing the dynamics of their relationship.
