"Oh! we should like to very much; but it is quite impossible. We have some people coming to us to-day," answered Mme. Mauperin.
"Oh, dear, how tiresome of them to come to-day! But I don't think you have seen my husband's new conservatories. I'll make you a bouquet, Renée. We have a flower—there are only two of them anywhere, and the other is at Ferrières—it's a—it's very ugly anyhow—this way."
"Suppose we were to go in here," said M. Bourjot, pointing to the billiard-room, which could be seen through the glass door. "M. Henri, we'll leave you with the ladies. We can smoke here," added M. Bourjot, offering a cabanas to M. Mauperin. "Shall we have cannoning?"
"Yes," replied M. Mauperin.
M. Bourjot closed the pockets of the billiard-table.
"Twenty-four?"
"Yes, twenty-four."
"Have you billiards at home, M. Mauperin?"
"No, I haven't. My son doesn't play."
"Are you looking for the chalk?"