"I have told you that I am entirely at your service."
"Here is my purse, for I shall not come back here. You will find enough inside to pay for whatever you may have ordered."
"Very good; I will pay, and I will put the change in the purse. It's a very pretty little thing—very dainty, and in excellent taste."
"If you like it, pray keep it in memory of—our acquaintance."
"You are really too kind. I don't stand on ceremony, myself, so I accept it."
"And now—pour me a glass of wine, so that I may drink with you."
"Ah! now you're talking!"
Cherami filled two glasses; Auguste took one of them with a firm hand, touched it to the one held by the ex-beau, muttered a few unintelligible words, and swallowed the wine at a single gulp.
"Sapristi! how fast you go! one has no time to follow you. I toss champagne off like that sometimes, but it's a miserable way to drink, as a rule. I like better to sip. Shall we have another glass, so that I may drink your health?"
"No, I haven't time. Adieu, monsieur; I rely on your promise. You will not read that letter for half an hour."