THE DRAGON VOLANT.
165
pretend to mistake me for another. But who is quite perfect? Is truth any longer to be found on earth?"
"Mademoiselle has formed a mistaken opinion of me."
"And you also of me; you find me less foolish than you supposed. I know perfectly whom you intend amusing with compliments and melancholy declamation, and whom, with that amiable purpose, you have been seeking."
"Tell me whom you mean," I entreated.
"Upon one condition."
"What is that?"
"That you will confess if I name the lady."
"You describe my object unfairly." I objected. "I can't admit that I proposed speaking to any lady in the tone you describe."
"Well, I shan't insist on that; only if I