"Egad, it's quite possible!" muttered the author complaisantly.

"Perhaps she would do very well, only the part's been assigned. We

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

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