"Quite. She attended their councils."
"She doesn't look it, 'pon my word. I thought they were the scum of the earth."
"The kind you have in America are. But over here—oh, well, we never can tell."
"I don't mind saying she interests me. She's pretty—and I have an idea she's clever. Baron, let me understand you. Do you mean that this is a polite way of commanding me to have nothing to do with her?"
"You put it broadly. In the first place, I am quite sure she will have nothing to do with you. She loved the husband of the scrawny duchess. You, my good friend, handsome as you are, cannot interest her, believe me."
"I daresay you're right," glumly.
"I am merely warning you. Young men of your age and temperament sometimes let their fancies lead them into desperate predicaments. I've no doubt you can take care of yourself, but—" he paused, as if very much in doubt.
"I'm much obliged. And I'll keep my eyes well opened. I suppose there's no harm in my going to the shop to look at a lot of rings and knick-knacks he has for sale?"
"Not in the least. Confine yourself to knick-knacks, that's all."
"Isn't Spantz above suspicion?"