"On business of haste. I must put ground behind me."
"I drink to the success of your business, then."
"Thank you, I am always successful. There is another toast, that should have first place. The ladies, Monsieur."
"With all my heart."
"That's a toast I never permit myself to defer. Mon dieu, I owe them favours enough!"
"You are fortunate," said I.
"I don't complain. And you?"
"Even if I were fortunate in that respect, I shouldn't boast of it."
He coloured; but laughed shortly, and said, "It's not boasting to tell the mere truth."
"I was thinking of myself, not of you, Monsieur." This was true enough.