It is true, however, that though to accept an "opening" in an American mercantile house might be a bold, original, and in its consequences extremely agreeable thing to do, he did not quite see himself objectively doing it.

So that when the bell rang to indicate the close of the entr'acte, there was a certain mock-heroism in his saying, with his brilliant smile, "Well, then, put me through; push me in! I make myself over to you.

Dip me into the pot and turn me into gold." They had passed into the corridor which encircled the row of baignoires, and Valentin stopped in front of the dusky little box in which Mademoiselle Nioche had bestowed herself, laying his hand on the doorknob.

"Oh, come, are you going back there ?" asked Newman.
"Mon Dieu, oui," said Valentin.
"Haven't you another place ?" "Yes, I have my usual place, in the stalls." "You had better go and occupy it, then." "I see her very well from there, too," added Valentin, serenely, "and to-night she is worth seeing.

But," he added in a moment, "I have a particular reason for going back just now." "Oh, I give you up," said Newman.