'Oh, demmit!' 'And I say once more,' resumed Madame, 'that you ought not to waltz with anybody but your own wife; and I will not bear it, Mantalini, if I take poison first.' 'She will not take poison and have horrid pains, will she ?' said Mantalini; who, by the altered sound of his voice, seemed to have moved his chair, and taken up his position nearer to his wife.

'She will not take poison, because she had a demd fine husband who might have married two countesses and a dowager--' 'Two countesses,' interposed Madame.

'You told me one before!' 'Two!' cried Mantalini.

'Two demd fine women, real countesses and splendid fortunes, demmit.' 'And why didn't you ?' asked Madame, playfully.
'Why didn't I!' replied her husband.

'Had I not seen, at a morning concert, the demdest little fascinator in all the world, and while that little fascinator is my wife, may not all the countesses and dowagers in England be--' Mr Mantalini did not finish the sentence, but he gave Madame Mantalini a very loud kiss, which Madame Mantalini returned; after which, there seemed to be some more kissing mixed up with the progress of the breakfast.
'And what about the cash, my existence's jewel ?' said Mantalini, when these endearments ceased.