a few seconds to spare. It now remained to play the last and most difficult strokes of the game. He felt equal to the occasion.
Moving round the table with his glass, in unceremonious fashion, he took advantage of George's departure to place himself between Madame de Parabére and her host, whispering in that lady's ear, "I have a favour to ask of the Regent, in which you, too, are interested!" She made room for him carelessly, listlessly, and her face looked so innocent and unsuspicious as to delude even his acuteness into the belief that the few faculties she could command were engrossed by Point d'Appui and his tormentor.
These were in full swing at a game called, in England, Flirtation. It is an elastic process, embracing an extensive area in the field of gallantry, and so far resembling the tournaments of the Middle Ages, that while its encounters are presumed to be waged with weapons of courtesy, blunted for bloodless use, such fictitious conflicts very frequently bring on the real combat à l'outrance with sharp weapons, and then, as in other death-struggles, væ victis! If girth breaks, or foot slips, the fallen fighter must expect no mercy.
Pitted against Point d'Appui, Madame de Sabran might be likened to an accomplished swordsman practising cut and thrust on a wooden trunk. But the block was good-natured and good-looking. When such is the case, I have observed that a witty woman takes no small delight in the exercise of her talent. There is a generosity about the sex not sufficiently appreciated, and if a man will only keep quiet, silent, receptive, and immoveable, it will pour its treasures at his feet in a stream of lavish and inexhaustible profusion.
Point d'Appui contented himself with looking very handsome and drinking a great deal of Burgundy. His neighbour hacked and hewed him without intermission, and Madame de Parabére's attention seemed entirely engrossed by the pair.
Malletort, in possession of the Regent's ear, proceeded diligently with the edifice for which he had so artfully laid the foundations.
"I must ask permission to take my leave early to-night, Highness," observed the churchman. "Like our friend
