For a moment the wild idea of winning renown by taming M.de Crillon occurred to me as I stood alone in the middle of the floor; but it had not more than passed through my brain when I felt my elbow touched, and turned to find the young gentleman whom I had encountered on the stairs standing by my side.
'Sir,' he lisped, in the same small voice, 'I think you trod on my toe a while ago ?' I stared at him, wondering what he meant by this absurd repetition.
'Well, sir,' I answered drily, 'and if I did ?' 'Perhaps,' he said, stroking his chin with his jewelled fingers, 'pending our meeting to-morrow, you would allow me to consider it as a kind of introduction ?' 'If it please you,' I answered, bowing stiffly, and wondering what he would be at.
'Thank you,' he answered.

'It does please me, under the circumstances; for there is a lady here who desires a word with you.

I took up her challenge.

Will you follow me ?' He bowed, and turned in his languid fashion.

I, turning too, saw, with secret dismay, that the five ladies, referred to above, were all now gazing at me, as expecting my approach; and this with such sportive glances as told only too certainly of some plot already in progress or some trick to be presently played me.