Volume I Part 15 (1/2)
”Oh! none at all! absolutely none! I can safely swear that it's two years since I have walked alone with a gentleman.”
Chamoureau was in raptures at the thought that he was walking with a woman to whom such a thing had not happened for two years. In his enthusiasm he said to himself:
”With this one I can safely try a stick of candy; she deserves it more than the others did; her frankness and innocence are worthy of the prize of virtue!”
And he escorted his domino to the buffet, saying:
”Pray, take something.”
”Oh! you are very kind, monsieur, but I am not thirsty.”
”She isn't thirsty!” said Chamoureau to himself; ”I doubt if I could find another like her in the whole ball!”
And he became the more urgent:
”But do at least take a bonbon.”
”You are very polite, monsieur; I don't like to keep refusing.”
”I trust you will not.”
”I will take a stick of candy.”
And the black domino selected one of the smallest, which cost only three francs, thereby putting the finis.h.i.+ng touch to Chamoureau's delight. He offered his arm to his conquest once more, saying:
”In that case, if you are free, charming st.i.tcher, will you do me the honor to sup with me and a few of my friends, who will also have ladies with them--that is to say, I a.s.sume that they will.”
”Yes, monsieur, certainly, and with pleasure.”
”You are fascinating! I feel that I love you dearly already.”
”And I, too; I shall be very glad to make your acquaintance.”
”Do you mean it? Then my appearance is not disagreeable to you?”
”Ah! I should be very hard to suit, if I did not think you a very handsome man! Monsieur must be accustomed to attracting women!”
Chamoureau turned redder than his rouge; the corridor had become too narrow for him; he placed his cap more on one side, pulled up his boot-flaps, and seemed to be walking on a spring-board, ready to jump.
”I don't know whom those fellows will bring to the supper,” he said to himself, ”but I'll wager that their conquests won't hold a candle to mine! I have an idea that this slender creature resembles the Madonnas we see in the pictures of our greatest masters. However, I'll find out about that; she's a good-natured body, and I am sure that she'll unmask as soon as I ask her to.--Let's go down to the ball-room,” said our widower, taking his domino's hand; ”we shall find my friends there; they are great jokers; they like the galop and are quite capable of dancing it.--Are you fond of dancing, my dear?”
”I am willing to do whatever anyone wishes, monsieur.”
”That's very pleasant in company. In that case, if I ask you to remove this mask--that conceals your features, you will not refuse, will you?”
”Take off my mask! oh, no! I won't take off my mask here; I will at home.”
”I presume that you don't keep it on at home; but what is there to prevent your taking it off a moment here, while we are walking in this corridor? You may put it right on again, if you please.”
”But why do you want me to take it off?”