To meet such a man is to breathe again the air of the grand monde.

You remember, Monsieur de Lesperon, that affair with the Duchess de Bourgogne ?" And she smiled wickedly in my direction.
"I have some recollection of it," I answered coldly.

"But I think that rumour exaggerates.

When tongues wag, a little rivulet is often described as a mountain torrent." "You would not say so did you but know what I know," she informed me roguishly.

"Often, I confess, rumour may swell the importance of such an affaire, but in this case I do not think that rumour does it justice." I made a deprecatory gesture, and I would have had the subject changed, but ere I could make an effort to that end, the fool Saint-Eustache was babbling again.
"You remember the duel that was fought in consequence, Monsieur de Lesperon ?" "Yes," I assented wearily.
"And in which a poor young fellow lost his life," growled the Vicomte.
"It was practically a murder." "Nay, monsieur," I cried, with a sudden heat that set them staring at me; "there you do him wrong.