"She goes to bed early," he says absently. "Which gives us freedom in the evenings. The salons go all through the night, or so I'm told. And we are free to socialize while she is otherwise occupied."

At the moment, the woman in question is playing cards. One or two of her ladies lingers with her, but the others have spread through the room to amuse themselves.

"This is merely an overture, Chevalier. I wouldn't presume to know your interests."