"Yes; but fortunately she is married, so you can't offer me to her. I'm glad of it, for she's the worst plotter and schemer on earth."
"Possibly she is, but she is an intimate friend of Madame de la Rochaiguë, who is also one of my friends."
"How long since, may I ask? Haven't I often heard you say that that woman was the very personification of meanness?"
"That is neither here nor there," said the duchess, hastily interrupting him, "Madame de la Rochaiguë has now for a ward Mlle. de Beaumesnil, the richest heiress in France."
"Who is now in Italy."
"Who is now in Paris."
"She has returned?"
"Yes, last evening; and this morning, at ten o'clock, I had a long and very satisfactory interview with Madame de Rochaiguë at Madame de Mirecourt's house. I have been devoting my time and attention to a certain matter for nearly a month, but knowing your habitual levity, I would not say a word about it to you. Fortunately, everything has been kept such a close secret between Madame de la Rochaiguë, Madame de Mirecourt, and myself, that we are very hopeful—"
"Hopeful of what?"
"Why, of bringing about a marriage between Mlle. de Beaumesnil and yourself."