"What a funny old walrus," said the lady.
"Walrus? Your natural history is quite wrong." The marquis laughed. "He's much too dry to be a walrus. I should suggest some sort of an old cat."
"Well, whatever he is, I'm sorry for that poor little girl. Think of having nobody better to go about with!"
"Pretty, isn't she?"
"Yes, but too young, of course."
"I like the innocence."
"Innocence? Cher ami! These English girls. Oh, la la! They may look innocent But, believe me...."
"Sh, sh. They'll hear you."
"Pooh, they don't understand Italian."
The marquis raised his hand. "The old walrus...." he whispered; then addressed himself loudly and jovially to the newcomers.