He had just been talking for a quarter of an hour with Bettina.

The conversation finished, he went to look for Jean at the other end of the drawing-room, and said to him: "You left the field open to me, and I have made a bold stroke for Miss Percival." "Well, you have no reason to be discontented with the result of the enterprise.

You are the best friends in the world." "Yes, certainly, pretty well, but not quite satisfactory.

There is nothing more amiable or more charming than Miss Percival, and really it is very good of me to acknowledge it; for, between ourselves, she makes me play an ungrateful and ridiculous role, a role which is quite unsuited to my age.

I am, you will admit, of the lover's age, and not of that of the confidant." "Of the confidant!" "Yes, my dear fellow, of the confidant! That is my occupation in this house.