'Reggie!' he said, addressing young Brooklyn, 'you seem to be ill-treating Madame Variani.

Must I interpose ?' Reggie and his companion, who were in a full tide of 'chaff' and laughter, turned towards him.
'Sir,' said Brooklyn, 'Madame Variani is attacking my best friend.' 'Many of us find that agreeable,' said the Ambassador.
'Ah! but she makes it so personal,' said Reggie, dallying with his banana.
'She abuses him because he's not married--and calls him a selfish fop.
Now _I'm_ not married--and I object to these wholesale classifications.
Besides, my friend has the most conclusive answer.' 'I wait for it,' said Madame Variani.
Reggie delicately unsheathed his banana.
'Well, some of us once enquired what he meant by it, and he said: "My dear fellow, I've asked all the beautiful women I know to marry me, and they won't! Now!--I'd be content with cleanliness and conduct."' There was a general laugh, in the midst of which Reggie remarked: 'I thought it the most touching situation.

But Madame Variani has the heart of a stone.' Madame Variani looked down upon him unmoved.

She and the charming lad were fast friends.
'I will wager you he never asked,' she said quietly.
Reggie protested.
'No--he never asked.

Englishmen don't ask ladies to marry them any more.' 'Let Madame Variani prove her point,' said the Ambassador, raising one white hand above the hubbub, while he hollowed the other round his deaf ear.