"Eh? What?" he asked.

"Just this," said Bordenave finally. "An idea has occurred to us. Now
whatever you do, don't jump! It's most serious. What do you think of
Nana for the duchess's part?"

The author was bewildered; then he burst out with:

"Ah no, no! You're joking, aren't you? People would laugh far too much."

"Well, and it's a point gained already if they do laugh! Just reflect,
my dear boy. The idea pleases Monsieur le Comte very much."

In order to keep himself in countenance Muffat had just picked out
of the dust on a neighboring shelf an object which he did not seem to
recognize. It was an eggcup, and its stem had been mended with plaster.
He kept hold of it unconsciously and came forward, muttering:

"Yes, yes, it would be capital."

Fauchery turned toward him with a brisk, impatient gesture. The count
had nothing to do with his piece, and he said decisively:

"Never! Let Nana play the courtesan as much as she likes, but a
lady--No, by Jove!"

"You are mistaken, I assure you," rejoined the count, growing bolder.
"This very minute she has been playing the part of a pure woman for my
benefit."

"Where?" queried Fauchery with growing surprise.

"Upstairs in a dressing room. Yes, she has, indeed, and with such
distinction! She's got a way of glancing at you as she goes by
you--something like this, you know!"

And eggcup in hand, he endeavored to imitate Nana, quite forgetting his
dignity in his frantic desire to convince the others. Fauchery gazed at
him in a state of stupefaction. He understood it all now, and his anger
had ceased. The count felt that he was looking at him mockingly and
pityingly, and he paused with a slight blush on his face.

"Egad, it's quite possible!" muttered the author complaisantly. "Perhaps
she would do very well, only the part's been assigned. We can't take it
away from Rose."

"Oh, if that's all the trouble," said Bordenave, "I'll undertake to
arrange matters."

But presently, seeing them both against him and guessing that Bordenave
had some secret interest at stake, the young man thought to avoid
aquiescence by redoubling the violence of his refusal. The consultation
was on the verge of being broken up.

"Oh, dear! No, no! Even if the part were unassigned I should never give
it her! There, is that plain? Do let me alone; I have no wish to ruin my
play!"

He lapsed into silent embarrassment. Bordenave, deeming himself DE TROP,
went away, but the count remained