“Pom-pom, pompity-pom! We might go one night, perhaps, together.”

“...”

“Doudja Degdeg is always a draw, although naturally now she is getting on!”

“And I fear so must I”—the duchess rose remarking.

“So soon?”

“I’m only so sorry I can’t stay longer——!”

“Then it’s all decided,” Madame Wetme murmured archly as she pressed the bell.

“Oh I’d not say that.”

“If I’m not asked, remember this time, I shall die with grief.”

“To-night the duke and I are dining with the Leucippes, and possibly ...” the duchess broke off to listen to the orchestra in the café below, which was playing the waltz-air from Der Rosenkavalier.