The audacious movement was successful.
"Now we can talk," said the duchess.
And talk she did, for she threw at me the startling assertion: "I believe you're falling in love with Mlle.Delhasse.If you do, I'll never speak to you again!" "If I do," said I, "I shall probably accept that among the other disadvantages of the entanglement." "That's very rude," observed the duchess.
"Nothing with an 'if' in it is rude," said I speciously.
"Men must be always in love with somebody," said she resentfully.
"It certainly approaches a necessity," I assented.
The duchess glanced at me.

Perhaps I had glanced at her; I hope not.
"Oh, well," said she, "hadn't we better talk business ?" "Infinitely better," said I; and I meant it.
"What am I to do ?" she asked, with a return to her more friendly manner.
"Nothing," said I.
It is generally the safest advice--to women at all events.
"You are content with the position?
You like being at the hotel perhaps ?" "Should I not be hard to please, if I didn't ?" "I know you are trying to annoy me, but you shan't.

Mr.Aycon, suppose my husband comes over to Avranches, and sees you ?" "I have thought of that." "Well, what have you decided ?" "Not to think about it till it happens.

But won't he be thinking more about you than me ?" "He won't do anything about me," she said.

"In the first place, he will want no scandal.