"Indeed! then a powerful motive must have urged you to take so hazardous a step, if in truth, as I believe, you are connected with some one of Lady Lysson's society, and here en cachette."
"I have a motive—let it rest; I am satisfied it should do so; but having had it, I was told sous l'horloge I should most probably see every one in the saloon better than elsewhere."
"Well, mon domino, you are a mystery; in truth, 'tis a scene from the Domino Noir. I would I were the happy Horace; I dare not think so."
She was perfectly silent.
"Surely I have no fair pensionnaire escaped from her convent, at my side?"
"No, truly—one her own mistress. Is not Lady Dora Vaughan very handsome?"
"Very!" and he started at the sudden transition in her speech. "Don't you know her?"
"Well; but I wished to hear your opinion as an artist—you must be better enabled to judge than I can."
"Now tell me when you saw her last? Give me at least a chance of guessing who you are?"
She paused an instant, then added, "Yesterday, walking with you in the Tuileries, and with several other ladies."