"If you dread the heat, if this crowded hall has no charms for you, Valentine, we will go away."
"Oh, no! I wish to stay; it is a very brilliant affair; but I would like to rest a moment here."
"Why, here is Monsieur le Marquis de Santoval!" cried a little hunchbacked old man, who held his head erect, however, and whose eyes were instinct with cunning and good humor, addressing the escort of the lady who had taken refuge in the window recess; "have I the honor of saluting madame la marquise?"
"Yes, my dear De Noirteuil," replied Monsieur de Santoval, shaking hands with the little old man.
"Madame, allow me to present Monsieur de Noirteuil, a gentleman from the South--like myself; moreover, a clever diplomatist who has often placed his talents at the service of his country, and always with success."
"What would you have--I had nothing else to offer my country; it would have none of my person!--But allow me to congratulate you, Santoval! You are a lucky mortal, 'pon my honor! I have heard your wife's beauty extolled, but I see that what I have heard is far below the truth!"
"You are gallant, as always, De Noirteuil!"
"At this moment I am simply the echo of what is said on every side.--What think you of this fête, _belle dame_? a little crowded, is it not?"
"Why, monsieur, it seems to me to be very brilliant, very splendid!"
"Humph! too many people! That is the way with these foreigners; when they want to give a fête, they invite and invite! they would do much better to make a selection, to sort people out."
"What! do you mean to say that you have seen anybody who is out of place here?"
"I do not say that; still, after all, he might well have invited a smaller number."
"That is possible; but it is all the same to me--I don't care about seeing him, I have no request to make of him. He has just organized two companies of _mousquetaires_, but I fancy that he will not appoint me to a captaincy. Ha! ha!"
"Still fond of your laugh, my dear De Noirteuil!"
"Ah! I must have something, you know, marquis! Now, you possess an enchanting wife, and I, my gayety! I never had any other companion; but it has its good points.--Mon Dieu! what do I see? What miracle is this? Is it really he? Yes, it is himself, on my word!"