"Ah!" said Desgenais, "you have danced with Marco?"
"Who is Marco?" I asked.
"Why, that idle creature who is laughing over there. Does she please you?"
"No," I replied, "I have waltzed with her and wanted to know her name; I have no further interest in her."
Shame led me to speak thus, but when Desgenais turned away I followed him.
"You are very prompt," he said, "Marco is no ordinary woman. She was almost the wife of M. de ——-, ambassador to Milan. One of his friends brought her here. Yet," he added, "you may rest assured I shall speak to her. We shall not allow you to die so long as there is any hope for you or any resource left untried. It is possible that she will remain to supper."
He left me, and I was alarmed to see him approach her. But they were soon lost in the crowd.
"Is it possible," I murmured, "have I come to this? O, heavens! is this what I am going to love? But after all," I thought, "my senses have spoken, but not my heart."
Thus I tried to calm myself. A few minutes later Desgenais tapped me on the shoulder.
"We shall go to supper at once," said he. "You will give your arm to
Marco; she knows that she has pleased you and it is all arranged."