Marmaduke looked at him, and began to think that he was a priggish fellow after all.  But as the burlesque went on, Mademoiselle Lalage charmed away this disagreeable impression.  She warbled in an amorous duet, and then sang the pleasures of champagne; tossing her head; waving a gilt goblet; and, without the least appearance of effort, working hard to captivate those who were to be won by bold smiles and arch glances.  She displayed her person less freely than her colleagues, being, not more modest, but more skilful in the art of seduction.  The slang that served for dialogue in her part was delivered in all sorts of intonations, now demure and mischievous, anon strident and mock tragic.  Marmaduke was delighted.

“What I like about her is that she is such a genuine little lady,” he said, as her exit released his attention.  “With all her go, she is never a bit vulgar.  Off the stage she is just the same.  Not a spark of affectation about her.  It is all natural.”

“You know her, then?” said Conolly.

“I should think I do,” replied Marmaduke, energetically.  “You have no idea what a rattling sort she is.”

“To you, who only see her occasionally, no doubt she gives—­as a rattling sort—­a heightened charm to the order, the refinement, the—­the beauty of the home life which you can enjoy.  Excuse my introducing such a subject, Mr. Lind; but would you bring your cousin—­the lady who sang to-night at the concert—­to see this performance?”

“I would if she asked me to,” said Marmaduke, somewhat taken aback.

“No doubt.  But should you be surprised if she asked you?”

“Not a bit.  Fine ladies are neither such fools nor such angels as you—­as some fellows think.  Miss Lind’s notion is to see everything.  And yet she is a thoroughly nice woman too.  It is the same with Lalage there.  She is not squeamish, and she is full of fun; but she knows as well as anybody how to pull up a man who doesnt behave himself.”

“And you actually think that this Lalage Virtue is as respectable a woman as your cousin?”

“Oh, I dont bother myself about it.  I shouldnt have thought of comparing them if you hadnt started the idea.  Marian’s way is not the other one’s way, and each of them is all right in her own way.  Look here.  I’ll introduce you to Lalage.  We can pick up somebody else to make a party for you, and finish with a supper at Jellicoe’s.”

“Are you privileged to introduce whom you like to Miss Lalage?”

“Well, as to that, she doesnt stand much on ceremony; but then, you see, that cuts two ways.  The mere introducing is no difficulty; but it depends on the man himself whether he gets snubbed afterward or not.  By the bye, you must understand, if you dont know it already, that Lalage is as correct in her morals as a bishop’s wife.  I just tell you, because some fellows seem to think that a woman who goes on the stage leaves her propriety behind as a matter of course.  In fact, I rather thought so myself once.  Not that you wont find loose women there as well as anywhere else, if you want to.  But dont take it for granted, that’s all.”