"However," rejoined Alfred smiling, "I believe that our friend does not intend to retain long that title upon which you ladies make war."
All the young ladies were silent and looked at the ground. There was a moment's pause, which Eudoxie broke, saying:
"Monsieur de la Roche-Noire is certainly very gallant; his fête is delightful; if only he won't have those vulgar peasants fight any more, for that is a spectacle which I cannot endure."
"Well I would have liked to climb the greased pole!" said a little girl of ten to her older sister.
"Oh! that would have been very nice, mademoiselle!" replied the sister; "to do as that vulgar creature did and show your----"
The older sister suddenly checked herself and turned as red as a beet; all the young ladies lowered their eyes once more. Renewed silence, which amused the young men immensely.
"You gentlemen did not come with Monsieur de la Roche-Noire to the last parties which were given in our town?" said Eudoxie, addressing Alfred.
"As we knew no one at Saint-Amand, mademoiselle, we thought that it would be impertinent to try to obtain our own inclusion in invitations which were addressed solely to the new owner of this estate."
"Why so, pray, monsieur? My father will certainly be charmed to become better acquainted with Monsieur le Baron de Marcey."
"And with Monsieur Edouard de Beaumont," said Eudoxie.
"It is not _de_ Beaumont." replied Edouard, with a bow, "it is Beaumont simply."
"There speaks the modesty of a man of letters, who desires to owe his reputation to his genius alone."
"Monsieur has something of my cousin the viscount's look in his features," said Cornélie, glancing at Alfred; "don't you think so, sister? In the eyes, and the shape of the mouth; but monsieur is even better looking."
"I have heard a great deal about your works, monsieur," said Eudoxie to Edouard; "and I am delighted to be in the company of the author of compositions so well turned."
"These women are terrible with their compliments!" whispered Edouard in Alfred's ear. Luckily for the young men, Robineau bustled up to them, crying:
"Dinner is ready, mesdames! Let us go to the dining-room, if you please!"
Cornélie had approached Alfred, and put out her hand as if absent-mindedly; but Alfred, paying no heed to Mademoiselle de la Pincerie's distraction, offered his arms to the two young women with whom he had already been walking, and moved away with them. Thereupon Cornélie abruptly took the hand that Robineau offered her; her anger caused her to squeeze it violently; and Robineau, beside himself with joy, kept repeating to her all the way: