"Who is the woman most in vogue? Remember that I am just from Italy, messieurs, and that I am not at all posted as to what is going on in Paris."
"There are five or six in high favor; but you must have seen them, for you were at Saint-Phar the banker's great crush night before last."
"I saw nothing wonderful. If that's all you have to offer me, why——"
"There was a dazzling blonde at the Bouffes last night. She attracted every eye."
"Well! of course, you made inquiries about her, Lamberlong?"
"Yes; she's the wife of a rich Spaniard, who is taking her to Brazil."
"If he's taking her to Brazil, that's too far to follow her. But you must have had some romantic adventures in Italy, viscount? The women there are very revengeful, they say."
"No more so than in France! I saw two or three little stilettos glisten in the girdle or the garter, but I didn't feel the point of one."
"No great passions, then?"
"Nothing, nothing! it's maddening! Love is vanishing, messieurs."