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Then they strolled away, his epaulette
very near the gleaming curls at her temple.
"Lud, young sir!" exclaimed the Duchess, catching Barnabas by the
coat, "how dreadfully sudden you are in your movements--"
"Madam, pray loose me!"
"Why?"
"I'm going--I cannot bear--any more!"
"You mean--?"
"I mean that--she has--"
"A very remarkable head, she is as resourceful as I was--almost."
"Resourceful!" exclaimed Barnabas, "she is--"
"An extremely clever girl--"
"Madam, pray let me go."
"No, sir! my finger is twisted in your buttonhole,--if you pull
yourself away I expect you'll break it, so pray don't pull; naturally,
I detest pain. And I have much to talk about."
"As you will, madam," said Barnabas, frowning.
"First, tell me--you're quite handsome when you frown,--first, sir,
why weren't you formally presented to me with the other guests?"
"Because I'm not a guest, madam."
"Sir--explain yourself."
"I mean that I came--over the wall, madam."
"The wall! Climbed over?"
"Yes, madam!"
"Dear heaven! The monstrous audacity of the man! You came to see
Cleone, of course?"
"Yes, madam.


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