"Or even a niece," said a third.
"Well, sir, what then? I don't take."
"Oh, you're a wag, marquis!" replied the duke. "Didn't I see, as we stopt before your window, a countenance radiant with beauty?"
"Eyes like stars," chimed in another.
"Cheeks like roses. Aha! Monsieur le Marquis—who was it?—come!"
"Why, that,—oh, that,—that's a young lady under my protection, gentlemen; and I must beg you to change the conversation."
"Indeed! you're a lucky fellow! The old fool mustn't be allowed to keep such beauty to himself."
"Certainly not," returned the vicomte, also in a whisper.
"Lucky!" said De Bouillon—"yes, gentlemen, I am lucky. If you knew all, you would think so, I'm sure."