“A delightful evening, isn’t it? The view is lovely, like this, at night, from the pergola. You are right to come and enjoy it. I hope that I am not disturbing you with my unexpected company?”
His tremulous voice sounded so spiteful and aggressive that they could not doubt the violence of his anger.
“Not at all, prince!” replied Cornélie, recovering her composure. “Though I can’t imagine what you are doing here, at this hour.”
“And what are you doing here, at this hour?”
“What am I doing? I am sitting with Van der Staal....”
“At this hour?”
“At this hour! What do you mean, prince, what are you suggesting?”
“What am I suggesting? That the pergola is closed at night.”
“Prince,” said Duco, “your tone is offensive.”
“And you are altogether offensive.”