Jeanne. (Aside) I’ve gone too far!
Mme. de Céran. (To Jeanne) Aren’t you pleased with this arrangement?
Jeanne. Perfectly, Madame la comtesse; and you know better than anyone else quid deceat, quid non. (She bows)
Mme. de Céran. (To Paul) She is perfectly charming!
(They go out; Paul right, Jeanne left.)
Duchess. (Seated near the table at the left, working at her fancy-work) Ah, she knows Latin! She ought to be congenial to the company!
Mme. de Céran. You know Revel is very ill.
Duchess. He is never anything else,—what’s that to me?
Mme. de Céran. (Sitting down) What do you mean, Aunt? Revel is a second Saint-Réault. He holds at least fifteen positions: leader of the New School, for instance—a position which leads to any number of others! Just the thing for Roger. He returns to-day, and I’ve asked the Minister’s secretary to dinner this evening, you know.
Duchess. Yes, a new one: Toulonnier.