"I accept your invitation in mademoiselle's name, M. Olivier, for she is quite capable of depriving herself of the pleasure of dancing merely to keep me company."
"As mademoiselle has accepted for me," added Ernestine, smiling, "I can but follow her example."
Olivier bowed again, and turning to Herminie remarked:
"Unfortunately I arrived very late this evening, mademoiselle, for I found you had not only ceased playing, but had also abandoned all idea of dancing."
"You did come very late, M. Olivier, for I recollect seeing you come in at the conclusion of the last polka I played."
"Alas! mademoiselle, you see in me a victim of my own patience and another's unpunctuality. I was waiting for a friend who intended to come with me."
Herminie blushed slightly and averted her eyes.
"But this friend did not come," Olivier added.
"Possibly he is ill, M. Olivier," said the duchess, with feigned indifference.
"No, mademoiselle, he is perfectly well, for I saw him only a few hours ago, but I think his mother must have detained him, for the kind-hearted fellow never opposes her in anything."