"A creature of no importance," shrugged Philip.
"So I see. Yet he contrives to arouse your anger?"
"Yes," admitted Philip. "I do not like the colour of his coat."
"You may call upon me," said Saint-Dantin at once. "I do not like anything about him. He was here before--last year. His conversation lacks _finesse_. He is tolerated in London, _hein_?"
"_Hé, hé!_ So he interfered between you and the lady?"
"Oh, yes, yes, I know! We all know that in the background lurks--a lady! Else why your so chaste and cold demeanour?"
"Certainly it is so. It's unfashionable to possess a heart."
"So I have been told. Presumably because I am innocent of the slightest indiscretion. Curious. No one dubs you rogue who so fully merit the title. But I, whose reputation is spotless, am necessarily a wicked one and a deceiver. I shall write a sonnet on the subject."
"Ah, no!" begged Saint-Dantin in alarm. "Your sonnets are vile, Philippe! So let us have no more verse from you, I pray! All else you can do, but, _sacré nom de Dieu_, your verse--!"
"Alas!" sighed Philip, "'tis my only ambition. I shall persevere."
Saint-Dantin paused, a hand on the curtain that shut off the card-room.
"For the moment," answered Philip sweetly. "All things pall on one after a time."
"Save the greatest ambition?" Saint-Dantin's eyes were purely mischievous.
"You are as inquisitive as a monkey," said Philip, and propelled him into the card-room.
"For how long has that fellow lorded it here?" asked Bancroft of his friend.
M. de Chambert flicked one great cuff with his handkerchief.
"Oh, some months! He is refreshing, is it not so? So young, so lovable."
"Con--ah, but no! You misunderstand him! He pretends, and it is very amusing, but he is not conceited; he is just a _bébé_."
"_C'est le dernier cri de Paris._ There are some who are jealous, naturally, but all who know him like him too much to be jealous."
"Jealous!" Bancroft snorted. "Jealous of that sprig!"
"A word in your ear, m'sieu'! Do not speak your dislike too widely. _Le petit Philippe_ has powerful friends. You will be frowned upon if you sneer at him."
"I'll--not conceal from you, De Chambert, that I've a grudge against your little Philippe. I punished him once before for impudence."