"There is but one Bardelys in France." "Enfin," I laughed, "you are no doubt well qualified to judge, Chevalier.

I had flattered myself that some likeness did exist, but probably you have seen the Marquis more frequently than have I, and probably you know him better.

Nevertheless, should he come his way, I will ask you to look at us side by side and be the judge of the resemblance." "Should I happen to be here," he said, with a sudden constraint not difficult to understand, "I shall be happy to act as arbiter." "Should you happen to be here ?" I echoed questioningly.

"But surely, should you hear that Monsieur de Bardelys is about to arrive, you will postpone any departure you may be on the point of making, so that you may renew this great friendship that you tell us you do the Marquis the honour of entertaining for him ?" The Chevalier eyed me with the air of a man looking down from a great height upon another.

The Vicomte smiled quietly to himself as he combed his fair beard with his forefinger in a meditative fashion, whilst even Roxalanne--who had sat silently listening to a conversation that she was at times mercifully spared from following too minutely--flashed me a humorous glance.