Upon returning to their cabin, Zorba and the narrator are met by Madame Hortense, who rebukes Zorba for his cruelty. She wants to be married as soon as possible and thinks of nothing else. Zorba flatters her with excuses but delays her as much as he can. Hortense presents him with a gift, which he also stalls in opening. Eventually, he must accept the present, which is revealed to be a pair of wedding rings. Zorba agrees to an engagement ceremony under the stars, and in the midst of it all, Hortense swoons with happiness. Zorba refuses to sleep with her or show her the least intimacy, protesting that it is Lent, and they must wait until Easter. When his fiancye has retired for the evening, Zorba speaks candidly with his boss, comparing.....
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