"Is, no doubt, at the Hôtel de Choiseuil," answered Gabrielle, coolly, fanning herself. "In any event she is not here. Oh, she was here—yes; but she had gone—gone before I sent you the note. Be seated, monsieur."
Dodo selected a chair, dropped into it, and awaited developments in silence. Six weeks before, he would have demanded in a passion the meaning of this subterfuge. But whatever might be said of La Belle Thaïs, one learned diplomacy in her company.
"You are surprised, monsieur!"
"I am infinitely surprised, madame," he agreed, with charming candor.
"Shall we be frank with each other?" asked Gabrielle, pleasantly.
"I think it is the only way," said Dodo. "Eh bien, I am infinitely surprised, madame; first, to see my sister's name in connection with yours at all, and, second, to find that you have been lying to me."
"She came to ask me to rescue you from the toils of Thaïs de Trémonceau."
Despite his elaborate self-control, Dodo flushed crimson.
"I think we had best drop the discussion here," he said, rising. "There can be no possible profit in continuing it. If my sister was here at all"—
"Her card is there on the table," put in Gabrielle, pointing with her fan.