As he spoke French with difficulty,édé he deemed it advisable to accompany his words with a pantomime which he considered most expressive, I doubt not, but which was often more grotesque than intelligible.
I do not know whether he was taking the trouble to draw my portrait at the same time, but I noticed that he glanced at me now and then out of the corner of his eye.
"This chamber is decorated with exquisite taste!"
"This cabinet is full of curious and well-selected objects."
"Ja! tere's a lot of leedle chems--for shildren."
"Oh, ja! te ladies haf shildren for blaytings."
"But I don't think that Madame Dauberny has any children."
"Oh, ja! all apoud--and on te mandel, too."
I did not understand him. I looked at the flowers in the vases, and said:
"There's nothing prettier and more ornamental than flowers! What a pity that they are perfect poison in a bedroom!"
The baron opened his eyes even wider than usual, and looked all about; I am not sure that he did not stoop to look under the bed. Then he rejoined:
Luckily, Madame Dauberny's return put an end to this interview, in which I found little amusement.
At sight of Frédérique, a cry of admiration escaped the baron and myself. She had put on an ample robe de chambre, of blue cashmere, caught in at the waist by a girdle of orange silk. The gown was buttoned to the neck, about which was a narrow white silk cravat, carelessly tied. Her feet were encased in fascinating orange slippers, studded with steel beads. Lastly, on her hair, which she had arranged in haste, in a _bandeau_ on one side, and on the other in long curls, she had placed a small blue velvet toque, with an enormous silver tassel, which hung down on the same side as the curls and seemed to intensify their brilliancy.
It is impossible to describe the charm which that négligé costume imparted to its wearer. Her figure was so gracefully outlined by the folds of the cashmere, her unique headdress gave so much expression to her features, that the baron and I remained under the spell and could not tire of gazing at her.
"Here I am," said Frédérique, with a smile. "As you see, I take the liberty of supping in a robe de chambre."
"Ah! how loafely you pe so!" murmured the baron, passing his right hand over his face as he spoke, kissing it, and throwing kisses to the ceiling.