It is to be regretted, but I never had a portrait of your mother." The roisterers burst into song again.

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"_When Ma'm'selle drinks from her satin shoe With a Bacchante's love for a Bacchic brew!_" How this rollicking song penetrated the ominous silence which had suddenly filled the salon! The Chevalier grew rigid.
"What did I understand you to say, Monsieur ?" with an unnatural quietness which somewhat confused the marquis.
"I said that I never had a portrait of your mother.

Is that explicit enough?
Yonder Rubens was my wife." The marquis spoke lightly.