"Do you remember that gentleman in black, whom we tried in vain to rouse one night, at a fête given by Léodgard?"
"Oh! what a pity that he is not here! I considered him very original. Why should he not come?"
"Because for some time past he has not been seen at any festivity; he no longer drinks, no longer gambles, no longer fights, even! In short, he is a lost man, so far as his friends are concerned! That is why I feel sure that he will not come."
At that moment a servant appeared at the door of the salon and announced:
"Well, this is strange!" cried Flavia; "at the very moment when we despaired of seeing him!"
"He confers a great favor on me! And I am proud of it, I assure you!"
As she spoke, Camilla went to meet Jarnonville, who was just entering the salon. Everybody was impressed by the advantageous change that had taken place in his appearance; his face was expansive, amiable, almost smiling; even his costume had undergone some modification; although his doublet and short-clothes were still black, his girdle was pale blue, and his cloak was of velvet of the same color. In short, the chevalier's person no longer wore that stern and sombre aspect which caused pleasure and love to flee at his approach.
"It is most amiable of you, Sire de Jarnonville," said Camilla, "to accept my invitation. I am the more sensible of your kindness, because you are seen very seldom now in society, at our parties."
"Yours, _belle dame_, certainly deserved that I should make an exception in its favor."
"Can it be that you have renounced misanthropy, chevalier? Have you ceased to be the Chevalier de Verglas, as you used to be called?--So much the better! in that case, you are one of us once more."
"I have never renounced anything, not even the pleasure of telling you that you are ravishingly beautiful in this costume."
Having achieved this compliment, Jarnonville bowed to the courtesan and lost himself in the crowd that thronged the salons and gardens.
"Why, he is becoming a charming cavalier!" said Camilla; "he told me that I was ravishingly beautiful; _he_ noticed my costume! He is more gallant than Léodgard.--I believe that we can make a conquest of him now, Flavia."
"Oh! I no longer care about it; I preferred him when he was all in black and looked like a bear."