"Take a seat on that sofa, by the side of my little dog. Is he not pretty?"
"Very," replied Dupleisis; "but I am more interested in his mistress. We have not met for a week,—not, in fact, since two thieves robbed Mr. Reed of a fortune."
Dupleisis said this with pointed significance; but the lady preserved the coolest unconcern.
"The muse of the foot-lights is the most jealous of mistresses."
"True," replied Dupleisis; "but in this case she has had rivals."
"I choose to amuse myself with a crowd, who eat my suppers and make me laugh."
"And among the jesters you number the Minister of War and Chief of Police."
"I may need their aid."
"Mademoiselle Milan, you do need their aid; but, with all your charming courtesies, you have not secured it."
"M. Dupleisis chooses to speak in enigmas. I am obtuse."