“So irresistible that Art” (he glanced with gay raillery at Velantour)
“Quite womanlike, has lost her heart.
Yet knows it in his keeping, sure.
A health to Monsieur Velantour!”
They drank it in hilarious mood.
Velantour was on his feet the next instant.
“If I could but make one littl’ Americain verse,” he implored, expansively. “But I speak so poorly. You mus’ help me a littl’.”
“Well,” said Mrs. Van Velt, practically, “you have to begin with the street he lives on, or something like that. Rue Boissonade——” she began, and halted.
“Shall have its Claude,” suggested Bobbins.
“Bon!” cried Velantour. “Now I have it.
“Rue Boissonade
Shall have its Claude,
And l’Amerique
The new Van Dyck.”
His naïf delight was contagious.
He patted Carrington’s arm affectionately.