Part 27 (1/2)

”It's your play, Monsieur Batonnin; do, for heaven's sake, attend to the game!”

”A thousand pardons, madame; I was listening to the singing.”

”But we are not singing, monsieur!”

”Thank G.o.d!” muttered Monsieur Clairval.

”What's that! Why did you say: 'Thank G.o.d!' Monsieur Clairval?”

”Because, if we were all singing, madame, we should not have the pleasure of hearing mademoiselle.”

”You see that I am disturbing the game,” said Adolphine.

”No, no; pray go on, mademoiselle! As if people could play whist for two minutes without a dispute! You are the pretext at this moment, that's all.”

Adolphine continued to sing. The game of whist came to an end, and Madame de Mirallon lost again. She left the table in a pet, exclaiming:

”I certainly will give up playing whist!”

”Do you know my favorite game?” said Monsieur Gerbault; ”it's bezique.”

”Fie, fie! a messroom game!”

”I don't know anything about that; but piquet is a messroom game, too, which doesn't prevent its being a very fine game. I've heard people say of lansquenet: 'It's a footman's game!' the same thing has been said of ecarte--but that doesn't prevent those games from being played in the salons. For my part, I believe in playing the game that amuses us, without disturbing ourselves about its origin.”

”I am wild over bezique, too,” cried Monsieur de la Beriniere; ”and, if you will allow me, Monsieur Gerbault, I shall take great pleasure in playing a game with you.”

”Whenever you choose, monsieur le comte, you will be welcome.”

”That's a game I am very fond of, too,” said Monsieur Batonnin.

”I am not thure whether I know it, but I think not.”

”Very well, messieurs,” said f.a.n.n.y; ”the next time, we'll have a bezique table for those who like it.--How is it with you, Auguste; do you play it?”

”I? What? what game is that?” replied Monleard, who had not listened to the conversation.

”Bezique.”

”No. Oh! yes, I played it yesterday.”

”My son-in-law is distraught this evening.”

They talked a few moments more, then all the guests took leave of the young husband and wife. But, as she went away, Adolphine could not resist the desire to say to her sister, in an undertone:

”Do be more affectionate with your husband. He is unhappy, I a.s.sure you.”

”And I a.s.sure you,” rejoined f.a.n.n.y, ”that that's none of my affair; as if a woman must be forever worrying about her husband's looks! That would not be a very entertaining occupation!”