The greeting between Mme. Mauperin and Mme. Davarande was scarcely over when a little old gentleman entered the drawing-room quietly, wished Mme. Mauperin good-evening with his eyes as he passed, and walked straight across to the group where Denoisel was.
This little gentleman wore a dress-coat and had white whiskers. He was carrying a portfolio under his arm.
"Do you know that?" he asked Denoisel, taking him into a window recess and half opening his folio.
"That? I should just think I do. It's the 'Mysterious Swing,' an engraving after Lavrience's."
The little old gentleman smiled.
"Yes, but look," he said, and he half opened his portfolio again, but in such a way that Denoisel could only just see inside.
"'Before letters.' It's a proof before letters! Can you see?"
"Perfectly."
"And margins!—a gem, isn't it? They didn't give it me, I can tell you, the thieves! It was run up—and by a woman, too!"
"Oh, of course!"