But it was said by some there, especially by Mrs.
Bonteen, that the conversation between them was not slow. And on the
next morning the Duke and Madame Max Goesler were together again
before luncheon, standing on a terrace at the back of the house,
looking down on a party who were playing croquet on the lawn.
"Do you never play?" said the Duke.
"Oh yes;--one does everything a little."
"I am sure you would play well. Why do you not play now?"
"No;--I shall not play now."
"I should like to see you with your mallet."
"I am sorry your Grace cannot be gratified. I have played croquet
till I am tired of it, and have come to think it is only fit for
boys and girls. The great thing is to give them opportunities for
flirting, and it does that."
"And do you never flirt, Madame Goesler?"
"Never at croquet, Duke."
"And what with you is the choicest time?"
"That depends on so many things,--and so much on the chosen person.
What do you recommend?"
"Ah,--I am so ignorant. I can recommend nothing."
"What do you say to a mountain-top at dawn on a summer day?" asked
Madame Max Goesler.
"You make me shiver," said the Duke.
"Or a boat on a lake on a summer evening, or a good lead after hounds
with nobody else within three fields, or the bottom of a salt-mine,
or the deck of an ocean steamer, or a military hospital in time of
war, or a railway journey from Paris to Marseilles?"
"Madame Max Goesler, you have the most uncomfortable ideas.
Pages:
653
654
655
656
657
658
659
660
661
662
663
664
665
666
667
668
669
670
671
672
673
674
675
676
677