"You are indolent—" remonstrated the lady.
"You—since we attempt the descriptive," said his Highness,—"are adorable."
"—and that injures your popularity—"
"Which, by the way, vanished with my waist."
"—and moreover you create scandals—"
"'The woman tempted me,'" quoted the Grand Duke; and added, reflectively,
"Amalia, it is very singular—"
"Nay, I am afraid," the Baroness lamented, "it is rather notoriously plural."
But the Grand Duke waved a dignified dissent, and continued, "—that I could never resist green eyes of a peculiar shade."
The Baroness, becoming vastly interested in the structure of her fan, went on, with some severity, "Your reputation—"
"De mortuis—" pleaded the Grand Duke.