Volume Ii Part 56 (1/2)
”Oh! Monsieur Luminot! do you dare to mention two sous? Don't you see that these gentlemen are playing for gold?”
”Gold! real gold?”
”As real as can be!” replied Croque; ”and if you want to bet a few napoleons on my opponent, I'll take all bets.”
”I! I think not! I'll bet two sous and no more!”
”Well, mesdames, have you enjoyed yourselves?” inquired Thelenie.
”Oh! your party is simply enchanting, Madame de Belleville; it is magnificent!”
”Admirable!”
”What a charming company you have brought together!”
”I tried to have the best people in the neighborhood.”
”And you have succeeded.”
”I did think for a moment of inviting those two ladies who bought Monsieur Courtivaux's house, but----”
”Fie! fie! my dear love! What were you thinking of? why those women are not received anywhere!”
”But I thought----”
”La Dalmont and Demoiselle Agathe; does anybody know who they are?”
The names of Madame Dalmont and Agathe reached Edmond's ears, and he listened, continuing his game.
”On the contrary,” cried Madame Remplume, ”we know much too well who they are!”
”Yes, you are right; we know some fine things about those flaunting hussies.”
”Of whom are you speaking, madame?” said Edmond, turning abruptly toward Madame Droguet.
”Of whom am I speaking, monsieur!” rejoined the giantess, slightly taken aback by this sudden question. ”Why, in the first place, it seems to me that I am not accountable to you.”
”Madame was speaking of the persons with whom you pa.s.s your evenings,”
observed Thelenie with a sneering smile.
”And madame, in speaking of those ladies, presumed to make use of expressions which I cannot and will not endure.”
”I have the vole and the king,” said Croque, marking three points.
”What does that mean, monsieur?” demanded the ex-vivandiere, rolling her eyes furiously. ”You don't wish me to say what everyone in this neighborhood thinks about those ladies; why should I hesitate, I pray to know?”
”What do people in the neighborhood say of those ladies?”
”I mark the king.”