Yes! And any more ?" cried the Duke.
"Yes, your Grace," I answered, again amazed.

"I completed what grammarians call the Singular Number by adding '_Il vient;_' whereupon--but I have told you." "_Il vient ?_" cried the Duke and Carford all in a breath.
"_Il vient_," I repeated, thinking now that all the three had run mad.
Carford screened his mouth with his hand and whispered in the Duke's ear.

The Duke nodded and made some answer.

Both seemed infinitely stirred and interested.

M.de Fontelles had stood in sullen silence by the table while I told the story of our quarrel; now his eyes were fixed intently on the Duke's face.
"But why," said I, "that simple phrase worked such strange agitation in the gentleman, your Grace's wisdom may discover.