"Can you come with us?" Mme. Frager asked her sister.
At this moment Laviguerie cried: "Checkmate!" and rose from the chess table.
"Papa has finished," Odette added, taking Germaine's arm. "So you are free. Will you come?" Then she whispered: "By the way, how is your little Bessie?"
"Very well, thank you."
There was quite a little bustle and confusion as the large party took leave, M. David and several others saying good-night at the same time. There were only seven or eight guests left after they had disappeared.
"Mme. Frager grows prettier every day," said M. Amable Bricourt, twisting his moustache.
"Her face and figure are perfection. What a pity! what a pity!" and Mme. Bricourt cast her eyes up to the ceiling, with an expression of the most angelic sympathy and sorrow.
"Why! is there any thing wrong?" asked one of the ladies, with great curiosity.
All turned to listen. Corinne said: "Dear Mme. Bricourt, tell us what they say, so we can all know how to defend her—if it becomes necessary—our dear Odette."