“He does.”

“I admire enormously his friend.”

“Mr. Nice?”

“He has such perfect sloth. I love his lazaroni-ness, his Riva-Schiavoni-ness.... He’s very, very handsome. But, of course, it cannot last!”

“No?”

“Like an open rose: Have you no sympathy yourself?”

“None.”

“That’s a pity. An actress ... she needs a lover: a sort of husbandina, as it were ...; I always say Passion tells: L’amour!

Miss Sinquier threw a glance towards Mrs. Sixsmith, who stood listlessly flirting her fan.

“I’m going to the buffet, child,” she said.