"My name is Charles de Brévannes: here is my card. You understand me; do you not? Remember Charles de Brévannes."
"I shall remember."
"Is that name quite unknown to you?"
"Quite."
"Has Madame de Hansfeld never pronounced it in your hearing?"
"Never."
Irritated by the reserve maintained by the mulatto, M. de Brévannes determined to try a fresh mode of attack. "My dear girl," said he, "it is useless for me to attempt concealing any thing from you. 'Tis true I have most interesting communications to make to Madame de Hansfeld; but," added he, with an insinuating tone of voice and almost tenderness of manner, "I have something equally important to say to you also."
"To me?"
"Indeed I have. I saw you the other day as you passed through the Rue Saint Louis, and I found you far too charming for my peace of mind."
This speech appeared to have taken effect, for the mulatto hung her head, but spoke not.