"Yes," she admits, "that's what I was wondering, monsieur. And if there was a way to set other drinks on fire -- I thought at first you meant any drink at all -- or only strong alcohol."

The hearts of the straw get a slightly doubtful look, though. She knows she's being forward already in chattering with a bartender, unchaperoned, for all that she's engaged and for all that she's argued her father into accepting Madame Bar as a suitable chaperone so long as she stays nearby. Does he mean to flirt? Or is it only that that's what Bar left on hand for him? She doesn't want to give the wrong impression.

"Only recently," she says, "but several times. My father comes here as well, though my fiancé doesn't, but at any rate papa can explain matters, and Madame Bar is lovely as well."

It's not the subtlest mention of an engagement in the world, but it does the trick, and even after weeks Cosette says the word fiancé with unconscious pleasure.