"Ah! One can see you're young, Harry, and fancy free; I wish I were. But your Monsieur de Polignac might have spared his pains."
"You're talking in riddles, Fanshawe; speak plain English, man."
"Well, 'twas true."
"What was true?"
"She wouldn't have me."
Harry stared in puzzlement. Then a light dawned, and he smiled.
"You don't mean to say you've been on your knees to Mademoiselle Adèle?"
"Indeed I have! By George, Harry! isn't she a splendid creature? But she wouldn't have me: that's all over; life isn't worth living now: I don't care how soon a bullet puts an end to my miserable existence."
Fanshawe sighed lugubriously; Harry laughed.
"Poor fellow! is it so bad as that? She didn't fall a victim to your new coat, then?"