“My fairest conquest!” piped the listener. With lack-luster eyes he remained motionless like a traveler in the desert who gazes upon a mirage. “You have described her well. The features of Diana! It was 233 at a revival of Vanbrugh’s ‘Relapse’ I first met her, dressed after the fashion of the Countess of Ossory. Who would not worship before the figures of Lely?”
He half closed his eyes, as though gazing in fancy upon the glossy draperies and rosy flesh of those voluptuous court beauties.
“The wooing, begun in the wings, ended in an ivy-covered villa––a retired nook––solitary walks by day––nightingales and moonshine by night. It was a pleasing romance while it lasted, but joy palls on one. Nature abhors sameness. The heart is like Mother Earth––ever varying. I wearied of this surfeit of Paradise and––left her!”
“A mere incident in an eventful life,” said his companion, thoughtfully.
“Yes; only an incident!” repeated the marquis. “Only an incident! I had almost forgotten it, but your conversation about players and your description of the actress brought it to mind. It had quite passed away; it had quite passed away! But the cards, Monsieur Mauville; the cards!”
CHAPTER III
AT THE RACES
For several days, after rehearsals were over, the strollers were free to amuse themselves as they pleased. Their engagement at the theater did not begin for about a week, and meanwhile they managed to combine recreation with labor in nearly equal proportions. Assiduously they devoted themselves to a round of drives and rambles: through pastures and wood-land to Carrolton; along the shell road to Lake Pontchartrain; to Biloxi, the first settlement of the French; and to the battle grounds, once known as the plains of Chalmette, where volunteer soldiers were now encamped, awaiting orders to go to the front in the Mexican campaign. For those who craved greater excitement, the three race-courses––the Louisiana, the Metairie and the Carrolton offered stimulating diversion.