Athos does not reject it outright. He believes that says a great deal about where his mind lies on the subject. "I don't know that I can answer that yet," he admits. "Not until we are of equal standing and memory. There is still a gap between us and I cannot give you a response until I know what it is that you have lived and I have not," he says considerately.

"Allow me to return to Paris and live my life through before I give you an answer?"