"He was; they were dining together at a separate table."
"Were any ladies with them?"
"I'll not pledge myself. So far as I can recollect, there was no one else at the table."
"Did you hear talk of any ladies of their acquaintance?"
"I think not. Stop, though. I fancy there was an allusion to a pretty niece."
"Annette lives," thought Basil, and said aloud, "An allusion made by M. Bidaud to my namesake?"
"Yes, I think so."
"Who suggested the adjournment to a private room after the theatre?"
"The invitation was given by M. Bidaud, and we accepted it. I was always ready for that kind of thing--too ready, my people say. So off we went, and played till daylight, with the aforesaid result."
"Were M. Bidaud and my namesake living permanently in Paris?"