"What did you think of the little sports that were performed just now?" said Robineau, as he and Cornélie turned into one of the shady paths of the garden.
"Why, they were very good; I rather liked them; they were quite original.--Why are we going away from the other ladies and gentlemen?"
"Oh! we will join them again. I am so happy to be once--to be for a moment--to try to----"
"Who is that tall young man whom you call Alfred?"
"He is an intimate friend of mine, a baron, with more than a hundred thousand francs a year.--But I was saying, mademoiselle, that I am enjoying the keenest happiness, and----"
"No, he is a bachelor, and so is Edouard Beaumont.--However, as we are alone for a moment, which rarely happens, I would like to express to you,--to make you understand----"
"Ah! I think I see your two friends; let us walk a little faster."
"Never fear; monsieur le marquis your father, and your uncle, are very busy talking politics with Monsieur Moulinet, and they will not notice that----"
"Much I care about my father and my uncle! they think well enough of me, monsieur, not to be afraid to let me walk with whomever I please!"
"I do not doubt it, mademoiselle; that was not what I meant; but when one is with you, the confusion, the agitation one feels make one, in spite of oneself----"
"He is very good-looking, is this Monsieur Alfred. His friend is not bad-looking, either. I don't know which of them is the better looking!"
"I don't know, mademoiselle, whether you have divined the secret sentiments of my heart. The other evening, when I danced with you at the tax-collector's, it seemed to me that I was happy enough to----"
"Does your friend Alfred intend to pass some time in this region?"
"Oh, yes, he is in no hurry, he has nothing to do.--Well, mademoiselle, do you remember that contradance, when, as we made the _poule_, I declared that your charms, that your graces----"
"Mon Dieu! I am so accustomed to having compliments paid me, monsieur, and declarations of love, that three-fourths of the time I pay no attention to them!"
"I can understand that perfectly, and it does honor to your modesty. But still, your heart must be touched some day and if I were the fortunate mortal----"
"Ah! I beg your pardon, I see my sister; I have something to say to her!"