[The ensuing dialogue occurs in the first act of the play. The Count de Ravonnieres and his son Andre reside together in their comfortable bachelor's establishment in Paris, and are devotedly attached to one another. The count, unfortunately, has only grown more careless of money, more a gay man of the world, as he has grown older; and blessed with a youthfulness of physique and temperament that nothing impairs, he is as thriftless as he is fascinating. His son, accordingly, has had to be the economist of their resources, which are at a dangerous ebb. As the scene opens, the count is preparing to take luncheon, with Joseph, the confidential servant of the house, in attendance.]
Joseph—Monsieur is served.
Count de Ravonnieres—Very well. You will please go to my florist Lemoine, the Opera florist,—you know who I mean,—and tell him to send, to-day, with my card,—he has a lot of cards of mine in advance,—to Mademoiselle Albertine de la Borde, 26 or 28 Rue de la Paix—I don't exactly remember the number that the lady gave me—
Joseph—No. 26.
Count—Ah! You know her address, do you?
Joseph—Yes, sir.
Count—To send her a bouquet of white lilacs and roses. And I don't need you any more: go at once. [Joseph bows, and hands the Count a large envelope.] What's all this?
Joseph—Some law papers that have come in your absence, sir, which I did not think ought to be forwarded to Dieppe.
Count [without taking the papers]—Quite right. Has my son seen them?
Joseph—No, sir.