"Waiting for you," repeated Clifford, slightly troubled.
"Do you know," she said calmly, "I dislike your conduct?"
He was a little disconcerted, and rang for Eugene to cover his confusion.
The soup was bisque, and the wine Pommery, and the courses followed each other with the usual regularity until Eugene brought coffee, and there was nothing left on the table but a small silver lamp.
"Valentine," said Clifford, after having obtained permission to smoke, "is it the Vaudeville or the Eldorado--or both, or the Nouveau Cirque, or--"
"Well," he said, greatly flattered, "I'm afraid I couldn't amuse you--"
"Oh, yes, you are funnier than the Eldorado."
"Now see here, don't guy me, Valentine. You always do, and, and,--you know what they say,--a good laugh kills--"
She laughed until her eyes were moist with tears. "Tiens," she cried, "he is dead, then!"
"Well," he admitted, somewhat startled,--"I should say,--for about a year."
"It is a year, I think. Are you not tired?"
"Don't you know that I like you too well to--to ever fall in love with you?" she said. "Don't you know that we are too good comrades,--too old friends for that? And were we not,--do you think that I do not know your history, Monsieur Clifford?"
"Don't be--don't be so sarcastic," he urged; "don't be unkind, Valentine."
"I'm not. I'm kind. I'm very kind,--to you and to Cécile."
"I hope she is," said the girl, "for she deserves a better fate. Tiens, do you know your reputation in the Quarter? Of the inconstant, the most inconstant,--utterly incorrigible and no more serious than a gnat on a summer night. Poor Cécile!"
Clifford looked so uncomfortable that she spoke more kindly.
"I like you. You know that. Everybody does. You are a spoiled child here. Everything is permitted you and every one makes allowance, but every one cannot be a victim to caprice."
"Caprice!" he cried. "By Jove, if the girls of the Latin Quarter are not capricious--"
"Never mind,--never mind about that! You must not sit in judgment--you of all men. Why are you here to-night? Oh," she cried, "I will tell you why! Monsieur receives a little note; he sends a little answer; he dresses in his conquering raiment--"
"You do, and it becomes you," she retorted with a faint smile. Then again, very quietly, "I am in your power, but I know I am in the power of a friend. I have come to acknowledge it to you here,--and it is because of that that I am here to beg of you--a--a favour."