"Were you thinking of those lines in 'Lucille'?"
"Them's your sentiments to a T, I should say."
"And you ought to have lived in the days when the knight had 'Une seule' embroidered on his banner. I'll never believe that his loves were so limited; doubtless each appropriated the invidious distinction to herself."
"I know one knight," said Cecil, "who would give them plenty of reason to do so."
"Fancy," continued Bertie "riding in full armour to a crossroad, and challenging every one to single combat who declined to acknowledge his particular fair to be queen of love and beauty, and that no one else should hold a candle to her! Now we should think it great impertinence in a fellow to offer his opinion about her at all."
"No," laughed Cecil, "such public proclamation would never suit these inconsistent days."
"Can you not believe yourself 'Une seule,' Cecil, even in these days?" returned he, meaningly and tenderly.
"That would depend on my knight," said she, blushing, and uncertain how to take it. "I should not care to live in a Fool's Paradise."
"If it were Paradise, why analyze the wisdom of it?" said Bertie, gazing with surprised admiration at her radiant face, that kindled as with some hidden fire.
"I could do without him," answered she, "but if he were worth caring for I wouldn't share him with any one."