human
Monsieur Albert--certainly--very well--and you---- You are very kind. But, you see, I am working just now--I am doing something----
gpt
And the pleasures, Monsieur Plays, how do the pleasures, the little love affairs, come on, eh? Aha! it seems that you're a great lover of the sex, but you keep it dark! Oh! you have made many conquests, they say; I've heard of you in the foyer at the Opéra--yes, and in the wings too.
human
No, really! you have heard of me at the Opéra?--and in the wings? But I have never been there; Madame Plays wouldn't allow it.
gpt
I believe you, and she is right. But one may know some of these theatrical ladies without going there.
human
No, no, I assure you! But, wait; I believe that a lady did ask me one day to pay a draft that had fifteen days to run, on the plea that she had to take a little journey; but I believe she told me she was a _marcheuse._
gpt
You see! you acknowledge the corn, rake that you are!
human
What? Why, it never occurred to me that that lady was on the stage. She said she was a _marcheuse_, and I understood that she liked to take long walks.
gpt
Oh! you joker! play the innocent, if you will; but you know perfectly well that that's what they call the supernumeraries at the Opéra.
human
I give you my word that I had no idea of it. What do you say? there are _marcheuses_ there?
gpt
Yes, monsieur; and they are a very popular class of lorettes.
human
Then there ought to be _trotteuses_[M] there, too.
gpt
Ha! ha! you're a sad rascal, Monsieur Plays! And the best part of it is that you conceal your game so perfectly.