“Is it true that you escaped from a convent to Malta?” said Madame Phoebus.
“Not quite,” said Lothair, “but true enough for conversations.”
“As confidential as the present, I suppose?” said Euphrosyne.
“Yes, when we are grave, as we are inclined to be now,” said Lothair.
“Then, you have been fighting a good deal,” said Madame Phoebus.
“You are putting me on a court-martial, Madame Phoebus,” said Lothair.
“But we do not know on which side you were,” said Euphrosyne.
“That is matter of history,” said Lothair, “and that, you know, is always doubtful.”
“Well, I do not like fighting,” said Madame Phoebus, “and for my part I never could find out that it did an good.”
“And what do you like?” said Lothair. “Tell me how would you pass your life?”