Permit me to withdraw the duchess and substitute yourself."
"Do so, if it will please you. In truth, it was bad taste in you,
count, to suggest it."
"It's all the same to me;" and the Colonel refilled his glass
and nodded.
The countess smiled behind her fan, while Maurice felt the edge
of the mild reproach which had been administered to him.
"I plead guilty to the impeachment. It was very wrong. Far from
it that I should drink to the health of the Philistines. Madame
the countess was beating me down with her eyes, and I did not
think."
"I was not even looking at you!" declared the countess, blushing.
The incident was soon forgotten; and at length Madame and the
countess rose.
Said the first: "We will leave you gentlemen to your cigars; and
when they have ceased to interest you, you will find us in the
music room."
"And you will sing?" said Maurice to the countess.
"If you wish." She was almost beautiful when she smiled, and she
smiled on Maurice.
"I confess," said he, "that being a prisoner, under certain
circumstances, is a fine life."
"What wicked eyes he has," said the countess, as she and Madame
entered the music room.
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