Mdlle. Rosalie hesitated, smiled, whispered something in Müller's ear, and went on with:-- "_In the third of these corners pale primroses grow; Now tell me thy secret, and whisper it low_." Monsieur Philomène then whispered his secret to Mdlle. Rosalie, and so on again till it ended with M. Lenoir and Müller. "I don't think it is a very amusing game," said Madame Marotte; who, being deaf, had been left out of the last round, and found it dull. "It will be more entertaining presently, Madame," shouted Müller, with a malicious twinkle about his eyes. "Pray observe the next lines, Messieurs et Mesdames, and follow my lead as before:-- '_Roses bloom in the fourth; and your secret, my dear, Which you whisper'd so softly just now in my ear, I repeat word for word, for the others to hear!_' Mademoiselle Rosalie (whose pardon I implore!) whispered to me that Monsieur Philomène dyed his moustache and whiskers." There was a general murmur of alarm tempered with tittering. Mademoiselle Rosalie was dumb with confusion. Monsieur Philomène's face became the color of a full-blown peony. Madame de Montparnasse and Mdlle. Honoria turned absolutely green. "_Comment!_" exclaimed one or two voices. "Is everything to be repeated?" "Everything, Messieurs et Mesdames," replied Müller--"everything--without reservation. I call upon Mdlle. Rosalie to reveal the secret of Monsieur Philomène." MDLLE. ROSALIE (_with great promptitude_):--Monsieur Philomène whispered to me that Honoria was the most disagreeable girl in Paris, Marie the dullest, and myself the prettiest. M. PHILOMÈNE (_in an agony of confusion_):--I beseech you, Mam'selle Honoria ... I entreat you, Mam'selle Marie, not for an instant to suppose.... MDLLE. HONORIA (_drawing herself up and smiling acidly_):--Oh, pray do not give yourself the trouble to apologize, Monsieur Philomène. Your opinion, I assure you, is not of the least moment to either of us. Is it, Marie? But the fair Marie only smiled good-naturedly, and said:-- "I know I am not clever. Monsieur Philomène is quite right; and I am not at all angry with him." "But--but, indeed, Mesdemoiselles, I--I--am incapable...." stammered the luckless tenor, wiping the perspiration from his brow. "I am incapable...." "Silence in the circle!" cried Müller, authoritatively. "Private civilities are forbidden by the rules of the game. I call Monsieur Philomène to order, and I demand from him the secret of Madame de Montparnasse." M. Philomène looked even more miserable than before. "I--I ... but it is an odious position! To betray the confidence of a lady ... Heavens! I cannot." "The secret!--the secret!" shouted the others, impatiently. Madame de Montparnasse pursed up her parchment lips, glared upon us defiantly, and said:-- "Pray don't hesitate about repeating my words, M'sieur Philomène. I am not ashamed of them."