VI.
VALERIE DEDIEU
"Look! there she goes! Isn't she lovely? By Jove, she's the most charming woman I've ever met!"
"The less of her sort there are about, the better for society at large, old fellow."
"What? You know her?"
"Yes. Unfortunately."
"Oh, of course. Some frivolous tale; but I'll not hear a word of it. Some people are never satisfied unless they are polluting a fair name, or washing their neighbor's dirty linen."
"That's meant to be personal, I suppose?"
"As you please."
"And where did you make her acquaintance, pray?"
"Quite casually; a week ago."
"And you've taken her for three drives, and walked on the promenade with her?"
"If I have, what crime have I committed beyond arousing your jealousy?"
"I'm not jealous in the least, I assure you, old chap," replied Jack Egerton, smiling. "But the fact is, Hugh, I've always considered you a man, and never believed that you could develop into a brainless, lovesick swain. Yet it appears you have. We've known each other long enough to speak plainly, and if you take my advice you'll steer clear of her."
