"Ah! you know me, do you?"
"Yes, I know you very well; also your friend Freluchon with whom you came to the ball. But I don't know the tall greenhorn disguised as a Spaniard, who came with you two, and who was on your arm just now. Mon Dieu! what a stupid-looking creature! and how wretchedly he carries his costume! Such a figure too! Who on earth is that scarecrow?"
"Do you know that you are very inquisitive? you ask such a lot of questions one on top of another!"
"It's because I like to know about things. Won't you answer me?"
"Oh, yes: the Spaniard is a friend of Freluchon, very well-to-do, a business agent, who has just lost his wife and is now trying to find a place for his heart."
"For life?"
"Oh, no! just for a term of years. If you desire to form an agreeable connection, I commend him to you."
"Thanks; he's too clumsy; he does nothing but pull up his boot-flaps, and I am tempted to offer him a pair of garters to keep them in place."
"You would do him a great service."
"Is he better looking without his nose?"