"Your comparison is not just, my dear Alix; for I could not save the comedy of poor M. de Gercourt."
"Emilie, Emilie, take care," said Madame de Beaulieu, with a smile; "M. de Gercourt has long admired you. You will have us believe that you are a little spiteful, and----"
"Well, the truth to say, I am not quite pleased with him for giving up his attempts to please me so suddenly. His attention really amused me. A'n't I candid, my dear?"
"Oh! you incurable coquette! never to forgive the man whom even she rejects. What! must the poor victim remain and suffer?"
"Alas! M. de Gercourt will have his revenge this evening. I have not ordered my carriage until eleven o'clock."
This charitable conversation was interrupted by M. de Beaulieu and M. de Fierval.
"My dear Emilie," said M. de Beaulieu to his sister, "I bring you living information as to the lovely creature beside the _sobieska_."
"Do you know that charming creature, M. de Fierval?" inquired Madame de Luceval.
"I do not know her, madame; but I know her husband, M. de Brévannes."
"Brévannes?--Is he not the son of a man of business."
"Something of the kind; the father was a contractor--a dealer."
"A poor girl without fortune; she lived by teaching the piano."
"Yet it is impossible to have a more _distingué_ air," said Madame de Luceval.
"She is so delightfully dressed!--It was then a love-match?"
"Decidedly; but they say Brévannes is very unfaithful."
"No, my dear, that must be, I should say, the sobieski of the _sobieska_," said De Beaulieu to his sister.
"M. de Brévannes," added Fierval, "is a dark man, with a very expressive countenance. Madame de Girard's casquette hides him. Now----."
"What an unprepossessing physiognomy! I don't like the looks of the man."
"You are wrong, I assure you. De Brévannes is what is called a very good fellow, only his temper is of iron, inflexible. What he will he will."
At the noise of some chairs which were being moved in the next box, Madame de Luceval put her head forward, and recognised Madame de Lormoy, aunt of M. de Morville.
"Ah, madame, how fortunate to be so near you!" said Madame de Luceval. "Are you alone in your box? I shall pay you a visit."
"I am expecting Madame de Hansfeld; and, strange to say, her husband accompanies her," said Madame de Lormoy.