The latter exclamation came from Victorine. The Duchess smiled at her. "Yes, again. The first time he was a complete success. I will make him so this time."
"Poor boy!"
"Yes—he will be banished for life. But there is no one else."
"What a pity that your cousin, Count Claude, is still away."
"Ah, yes. Henri says that he is in America. Imagine it. However, Claude was less useful. I had more feeling for him—my cousin, you understand."
"When do you visit the Duc d'Agenois?"
"Really, I do not know. I had thought of to-night. That would be a romance, would it not? But I am too fatigued. Our journey from Metz was frightful. You cannot conceive it."
"My poor darling! But do let us have some amusement. Victorine is in despair. There are no men in the city."
"I saw M. de Bernis in the Place du Palais," observed Elise.
Victorine colored delicately. "Dear Duchess, he is not a man. He is a priest," she said, lightly.