"You could come here if you only would. He is not in town to-night——"
"Confound it, do you think I'm that sort?"
"I think you are very absurd and not very consistent, considering the things that they say you are not too fastidious to do——"
"Will you please be a little more reticent over the telephone!"
"Then take me out to dinner somewhere, where we can talk!"
"I'm sorry, but it won't do."
"I thought you'd say that. Very well, then, listen: they are singing Ariane to-night; it's an 8:15 curtain. I'll be in the Barkley's box very early; nobody else will arrive before nine. Will you come to me at eight?"
"Yes, I'll do that for a moment."
"Thank you, dear. I just want to be happy for a few minutes. You don't mind, do you?"
"It will be very jolly," he said vaguely.