Volume I Part 21 (1/2)
”Or that she laughed at him!”
”I a.s.sure you that she did not laugh at me! In the first place, she unmasked, and I saw the most captivating face. These ladies are very pretty most a.s.suredly, but my superb brunette would throw them all into the shade!”
”I say, Spaniard, do you know that you make us tired with your brunette!”
”If she wouldn't come to supper with you,” said little Amelia, ”that proves right away that she was intending to take supper with someone else, doesn't it, mesdames?”
”Yes, yes; Amelia is right.”
”Oh! you are mistaken, mesdames; it isn't at all as you imagine.”
”Well, Chamoureau, where do you expect to see your wonderful conquest again? has she given you an a.s.signation?”
”She has done more, my dear fellow: she has given me her address, with permission to call on her--at her hotel!”
”So she has a hotel--furnished probably.”
”And when he goes to ask for his charmer, the concierge will say: 'It's on such a floor, monsieur, such a number; the numbers are on the doors'--Ha! ha!”
”Laugh away! laugh all you please! 'He laughs best who laughs last!'”
”The moment you begin on proverbs, I haul down my flag. But where does your conquest live? Perhaps I know her house.”
”Freluchon, ask me for my fortune, ask me for my life----”
”You wouldn't give 'em to me, I know; go on.”
”I would give them to you rather than tell you the name and abode of my fascinating brunette!”
”Oho! is it as bad as that?”
”I have sworn to be discreet, and I shall keep my oath! If I hadn't promised, it would be a different matter.”
”Inasmuch as you have sworn--you will tell us the whole thing at dessert!”
”Never!--better a thousand times to be a widower!”
”Bravo! that's not bad! I'll remember it!”
”You are making me talk nonsense, Freluchon; but in Carnival time----”
”Join me, mesdames and messieurs; I drink to Chamoureau's mysterious conquest!”
”Good! here's her health!”
”For my part, I won't drink it,” said the marchioness; ”don't you do it, mesdames; he had the face to say that she was prettier than we are!”
”Forgive him, mesdames; pa.s.sion makes him blind.”
”I am rather inclined to think that he's drunk.”
Chamoureau did not stint himself while the young men were talking and laughing with their companions, but addressed himself constantly to the decanters within his reach, saying to himself: