"It would be useless and absurd; I do not wish it."
"But then—"
"Do your duty; I will arrange, who am free and mistress of my time."
"What goodness, madame!"
"But you have not explained to me," said the duchess, with her insinuating smile, "how you happened to be free this evening, and how you came."
"This evening, madame, I was thinking of asking permission of De Loignac, our captain, who is very kind to me, when the order came to give a night's holiday to the Forty-five."
"And on what account was this leave given?"
"As recompense, I believe, madame, for a somewhat fatiguing service yesterday at Vincennes."
"Ah! very well."
"Therefore to this circumstance I owe the pleasure of seeing you to-night at my ease."