"AU REVOIR"

A DRAMATIC VIGNETTE

SCENE.-The Fountain in the Garden of the Luxembourg. It is surrounded by Promenaders.

MONSIEUR JOLICEUR. A LADY (unknown).

'TIS

M. JOLICŒUR.

IS she, no doubt. Brunette, and tall:
A charming figure, above all!

This promises.--Ahem!

"If Madame [I omit] will be

Beside the Fountain-rail at Three,

Then Madame-possibly-may hear

News of her Spaniel.

JOLICŒUR."

Monsieur denies his note ?

M. JOLICŒUR.

I do.

Now let me read the one from you. "If Monsieur Jolicœur will be

Beside the Fountain-rail at Three,

Then Monsieur-possibly-may meet
An old Acquaintance.

INDISCReet.

THE LADY (scandalized).

Ah, what a folly! 'Tis not true.

I never met Monsieur.

And you?

M. JOLICEUR (with gallantry).

Have lived in vain till now.

But see:

We are observed.

THE LADY (looking round).

I comprehend .

(After a pause.)

Monsieur, malicious brains combine
For your discomfiture, and mine.
Let us defeat that ill design.

If Monsieur but . . . (hesitating).

M. JOLICEUR (bowing).

Rely on me.

THE LADY (still hesitating).

Monsieur, I know, will understand.

M. JOLICŒUR.

Madame, I wait but your command.

THE LADY.

You are too good. Then condescend At once to be a new-found Friend!

M. JOLICEUR (entering upon the part forthwith) How? I am charmed,-enchanted. Ah! What ages since we met . . at Spa?

.

THE LADY (a little disconcerted).

At Ems, I think. Monsieur, maybe,
Will recollect the Orangery?

M. JOLICEUR.

At Ems, of course.

But Madame's face

Might make one well forget a place.

THE LADY.

It seems so. Still, Monsieur recalls
The Kürhaus, and the concert-balls?

M. JOLICEUR.

Assuredly. Though there again
'Tis Madame's image I retain.

(How do they take it?-Can you see?)

M. JOLICEUR.

Nay, Madame furnishes the wit.

(They don't know what to make of it!)

THE LADY.

And Monsieur's friend who sometimes came ? .. That clever. . . I forget the name.

THE LADY (archly).

Precisely. But, my carriage waits.
Monsieur will see me to the gates?

M. JOLICEUR (offering his arm).

I shall be charmed.

(Your stratagem Bids fair, I think, to conquer them.)

(Aside)

(Who is she? I must find that out.)

--And Madame's husband thrives, no doubt?

THE LADY (off her guard).

Monsieur de BEAU-? . . . He died at Dôle !

Which can it be? Ah, there they go!)

--Madame, your enemies retreat

With all the honours of . . . defeat.