"With your elevated opinions, you must think highly of M. de Brévannes, or rather of his noble disinterestedness, his admirable behaviour, since he has not the honour of an acquaintance with you. Madame de Brévannes is so lovely," said the princess, without betraying any emotion; "she appears so well bred, that the sacrifice of M. de Brévannes appears to me simply very great good fortune."
"In this you are quite right; but when I look at the marked and almost harsh features of M. de Brévannes I should never have thought him capable of such a feeling of the tender passion. What is your opinion, princess:
"Countenances are sometimes so deceitful," replied Paula, whose composure did not forsake her.
At this moment M. de Fierval came into the box.
"What! alone?" said Madame de Lormoy; "and Léon?"
"He has desired me, madame, to express to you his extreme regret; but after having dined at the club, he smoked a cigar, and——"
"I understand. He knows my abhorrence of the abominable odour of tobacco. I only hope that what he has lost by his filthy habit, just like a soldier in a barrack, may be profitable to him when he remembers how he lost it. Again, my dear princess, I hope for his pardon, and express my regret to you."
"We are all losers, madame," was the princess's reply.
It was plain that De Morville's excuse for not going to his aunt was the result of his resolution to avoid a meeting with the princess.
"What do they say of the piece?" asked Madame de Lormoy of M. de Fierval.