“Well, then! you took me for an agent of M. de Crosne.”
“M. de Crosne!” he repeated.
“Yes; the lieutenant of police.”
“Sir!”
“Softly, M. de Beausire, you really look as if you were feeling for your sword.”
“And so I was, sir.”
“Good heavens! what a warlike disposition; but I think, dear M. Beausire, you left your sword at home, and you did well. But to speak of something else, will you relinquish to me madame for a time?”
“Give you up madame?”
“Yes, sir; that is not uncommon, I believe, at a ball at the Opera.”
“Certainly not, when it suits the gentleman.”