Tristan was as stiff "I might be under the wrong sort of impression about this establishment," He said. "Forgive me. It is no intention to cause offense," He said. "That there might be other forms of entertainment other then the spectacle on the stage, ones that might not be as acceptable to converse about in polite society."
He all but whispered. "And I mean no offense, so if I am mistaken, You might properly strike to my cheek for saying such a thing M'selle Abott... I would normally have better sense then to bring such a topic up." He hemmed and hawed, trying to broach the topic in a gentlemanly fashion. But it was impossible so he just blurted it out. "But you are a true lady of the stage?" with all the loaded meaning and innuendo it was meant to have, though the gentleman tried to cushion the disdain at the term. It was really not any of his business, but impulse and curiosity overtook his propriety.