Part 19 (1/2)
”Monsieur, you must give me satisfaction!”
”Monsieur, you haven't seen the end of this!”
While he was thus apostrophized on all sides, Cherami calmly wiped the perspiration from his face, and said:
”Sapristi! what's the matter with them all? They are delightful!--I consider that you're a delightful lot! You ought to have got out of the way; that's what I did, when you ran into me while you were waltzing just now. Is it my fault, if you don't know how to keep on your legs?
What a terrible thing, if your estimable daughter's nose is a little bruised; and if your wife, monsieur, did show some admirable things! It seems to me that you ought to be flattered by the accident, for everybody must envy your good fortune.”
These retorts were far from appeasing the wrath of the husbands, brothers, and fathers who had been maltreated in the persons of the objects of their affections. But Uncle Blanquette forced his way through the crowd, and said to him who had caused all the confusion, a.s.suming a tone which he strove to make dignified:
”Monsieur, you have caused a grave perturbation at my nephew's wedding party----”
”Ha! ha! _perturbation_ is a pretty word; I must remember it. Never mind; proceed, Papa Blanquette.”
”People in our society do not indulge in such improper dances as those you have performed, monsieur.”
”But, if I remember right, Aunt Merlin seemed to enjoy that dance pretty well.”
”I didn't invite you to our ball, monsieur; so I consider it much too--much too----”
”Presumptuous!--you can't find the word, but that's it, I fancy; eh?”
”Yes, monsieur; too presumptuous, to appear where you're not invited, and especially in a costume so negligee as yours. You have thrown down enough persons; we don't care to have any more of it, and I beg you to go.”
”Ah! that's your idea of politeness, is it? Very good! bonsoir! I will go! Your party isn't so very fine, after all; I haven't seen a single gla.s.s of punch. And you fancy that you do things in style, do you? No, no! you're a long way behind the times!”
”Be good enough to remember also, monsieur, that you owe me four hundred and ninety-five francs; and, if you don't quit, I will take harsh measures----”
”Bravo! I expected that--that's the bouquet! The idea of talking about your account at a ball! Look you, old Blanquette: you make me sick!
_Adieu, Rome, I go!_--Mesdames, I lay my homage at your feet. I am sorry to have jostled you a little; but, on my word of honor, it was the fault of your partners; they didn't know how to hold you.”
This fresh insult to the male portion of the guests renewed their wrath, and they threatened to attack Cherami. He removed his yellow glove and threw it at their feet, saying:
”Here, this is all I can do for you! I expect you all to-morrow morning.
My friend Blanquette[C] of veal will give you my address. Bring pistols, sabres, swords, what you please. I shall have nothing but a rabbit's tail, understand, and with that rabbit's tail I defy you all!”
This heroic challenge seemed to calm the wrath of his adversaries to some extent. But, while they were staring at one another, a little, bald man darted forward and picked up the glove.
”That's my glove,” he cried; ”I recognize it; it's the left-hand glove that I lost; it has been mended on the thumb; this is the very one!”
Cherami did not hear Monsieur Courb.i.+.c.hon. He left the ballroom, pa.s.sed rapidly through the cardroom, and, taking a hat from a nail and a cane from a corner, left the last of the rooms and descended the stairs, saying to himself:
”I snap my fingers at them. I'm not sorry I went to that party. I have my cue!”
And Cherami patted the pocket in which were the gold pieces he had won at ecarte.
At the foot of the staircase, he saw several ladies standing, waiting for their carriages; they were guests of the party on the first floor, just leaving the ball. In a moment, another young couple appeared, and one of the ladies said to another: