There were bouquets of every species in the foyer, and I myself was soon accosted by a bouquet of camellias, which congratulated me upon my safe return to Paris.
To the camellias succeeded a bouquet of rose-pompons.
To these succeeded a bouquet of heliotrope.
In fact I was engaged with my fifteenth bouquet when I encountered D——.
“Ah, is it you, mon cher?” he cried. “Welcome back; you have returned just in time. I have a little supper party this evening—so-and-so and so-and-so—and we shall count upon you.”
“A thousand thanks, my dear fellow; but though I am strongly tempted to accept your invitation, I can’t. I am engaged to somebody.”
“Yes; but everyone else will bring somebody also,” said D——. “It is quite understood that there are to be six water-bottles, whose destiny it is to refresh bouquets.”
“Ah, you are mistaken. I shall have no bouquet to put in a water-bottle; I am with a friend.”
“Well, you know the proverb, ‘Friends of our friends.’ ”
“It is a young gentleman whom you do not know.”