"No they're not. They're jealous. That's not the same at all. The very fact that they came here to tell you all that only proves my point."

She paused, looking into my eyes. She started to say something, then stopped. After a short pause, she said "Why would they be jealous?" She was still staring deep into my eyes, and I wondered if she really wanted me to say what I thought she wanted.

"Because you're a remarkably beautiful young woman." When I saw her expression changing as she heard "young woman", I knew I had made a mistake. She was now looking away form me, and I knew why:...