Volume I Part 18 (1/2)
”A young flower-maker: nineteen years old, with a piquant, roguish face, eyes full of fire and a lovely figure!”
”You seem to know her very well!”
”I! oh! I don't know her at all; I am simply repeating what Edmond told me about her a little while ago.”
”Then you haven't seen this woman?”
”Not yet; but I shall see her before long, as we are all to sup together; Freluchon arranged it all at the costumer's.”
”Ah! you are to sup together!”
Thelenie was silent for some moments, apparently lost in reflection.
Meanwhile Chamoureau cudgelled his brain to think of something clever to say to her; having had no success, he confined himself to adjusting his cap and pulling up his boot-tops.
”Monsieur Chamoureau,” said Thelenie at last, in her sweetest voice, ”will you give me your arm for a little promenade--not here in the foyer, for there are too many people here.”
”Will I, madame! why, I am only too happy that you should deign to take me for your escort.”
And the Spaniard, springing to his feet, offered his arm to the pearl-gray domino, who took it with that lack of formality which a mask sanctions.
Before leaving the foyer, Chamoureau, as proud as Lucifer to have on his arm a stylish woman who left an odor of violets and patchouli as she pa.s.sed, said to himself:
”Faith, I don't care what happens! I propose to risk another stick of candy!”
Whereupon he led the lady toward a buffet and urged her to take something; but Thelenie dragged him away, saying:
”I am obliged to you, monsieur, but I never take anything here; besides, I think that carrying about sticks of candy is very bad form.--Come, I long to be out of this foyer.”
Thelenie had just noticed the tall Beauregard, who was gazing at her with an air of surprise, and with a mocking smile which seemed to say:
”What! you, elegance personified, on the arm of this Spaniard who looks like a genuine buffoon!”
Chamoureau, who had a most exalted opinion of his new acquaintance since she had told him that she never took anything at a ball, walked with her into the corridor, where the domino guided him toward the staircase, saying:
”Let us go up, there are too many people here.”
”With pleasure; let us go up.”
When they reached the second floor the domino continued to ascend, saying:
”Let us go up farther.”
Nor did she stop at the third, but said to her escort:
”Let us keep on.”
And Chamoureau made no objection.
”Does she mean to take me up to the small boxes in the dome?” he said to himself. ”Have I inspired her with a frenzied pa.s.sion? But I believe the small boxes aren't open on ball nights. No matter, let her take me where she will; she's a beautiful woman, her figure is enchanting, her hand small, her language distinguished. G.o.d grant that I may not find behind her mask any resemblance to that horrible shoe-st.i.tcher! Gad! I am distrustful now!”