A DRAMATIC VIGNETTE. SCENE.--_The Fountain in the Garden of the Luxembourg. It is surrounded by Promenaders._ MONSIEUR JOLICOEUR. A LADY (_unknown_). M. JOLICOEUR. 'Tis she, no doubt. Brunette,--and tall: A charming figure, above all! This promises.--Ahem! THE LADY. Monsieur? Ah! it is three. Then Monsieur's name Is JOLICOEUR?... M. JOLICOEUR. Madame, the same. THE LADY. And Monsieur's goodness has to say?... Your note?... M. JOLICOEUR. _Your_ note. THE LADY. Forgive me.--Nay. (_Reads_) "_If Madame_ [I omit] _will be_ _Beside the Fountain-rail at Three,_ _Then Madame--possibly--may hear_ _News of her Spaniel._ JOLICOEUR." Monsieur denies his note? M. JOLICOEUR. I do. Now let me read the one from you. "_If Monsieur Jolicoeur will be_ _Beside the Fountain-rail at Three,_ _Then Monsieur--possibly--may meet_ _An old Acquaintance. 'INDISCREET_.'" THE LADY (_scandalized_). Ah, what a folly! 'Tis not true. I never met Monsieur. And you? M. JOLICOEUR (_with gallantry_). Have lived in vain till now. But see: We are observed. THE LADY. (_looking round_). I comprehend.... (_After a pause._) Monsieur, malicious brains combine For your discomfiture, and mine. Let us defeat that ill design. If Monsieur but ... (_hesitating_). M. JOLICOEUR (_bowing_). Rely on me. THE LADY (_still hesitating_). Monsieur, I know, will understand ... M. JOLICOEUR. Madame, I wait but your command. THE LADY. You are too good. Then condescend At once to be a new-found Friend! M. JOLICOEUR (_entering upon the part forthwith_). How? I am charmed,--enchanted. Ah! What ages since we met ... at _Spa_? THE LADY (_a little disconcerted_). At _Ems_, I think. Monsieur, maybe, Will recollect the Orangery? M. JOLICOEUR. At _Ems_, of course. But Madame's face Might make one well forget a place. THE LADY. It seems so. Still, Monsieur recalls The Kuerhaus, and the concert-balls? M. JOLICOEUR. Assuredly. Though there again 'Tis Madame's image I retain. THE LADY. Monsieur is skilled in ... repartee. (How do they take it?--Can you see?) M. JOLICOEUR. Nay,--Madame furnishes the wit. (They don't know what to make of it!) THE LADY. And Monsieur's friend who sometimes came?... That clever ... I forget the name. M. JOLICOEUR. The BARON?... It escapes me, too. 'Twas doubtless he that Madame knew? THE LADY (_archly_). Precisely. But, my carriage waits. Monsieur will see me to the gates?