“Monsieur,” said this latter, “I am desolated to have to inform you that the Minister of Fine Arts has withdrawn his original invitation for Box No. 74 to-night.”
“I have received no intimation of the withdrawal,” Cecil replied.
“No. Because the original invitation was not issued to you,” said the Directeur, excited and nervous. “The Minister of Fine Arts instructs me to inform you that his invitation to meet the President and their Imperial Majesties cannot be bought and sold.”
“But is it not notorious that many such invitations have been bought and sold?”
“It is, unfortunately, too notorious.”
Here the Directeur looked at his watch and rang a bell impatiently.
The Directeur gazed blandly at Cecil. “The reason, perhaps, is best known to yourself,” said he, and he rang the bell again.
“I appear to incommode you,” Cecil remarked. “Permit me to retire.”
“Not at all, I assure you,” said the Directeur. “On the contrary. I am a little agitated on account of the non-arrival of Mademoiselle Malva.”