During this dialogue, the baron had approached the table, and regarded the game.
“Madame,” said he to the marchioness, “is the mother—”
“Of my daughter? Yes, sir,” replied the marchioness.
Rita impulsively burst into a fit of laughter.
Raphael, who had stolen away from the major, mixed in the groups of guests, and soon found himself among some young ladies, of whom several were his relations. He had in this feminine squad a large party; but seeing that he had neglected them to devote his attentions to the strangers who were his cousin’s guests, this evening introduced by him, were all leagued against him, and had made up their minds to be revenged.
“Am I transformed to the head of Medusa, that you do not know me?” demanded Arias.
“Ah! is it you?” said one of the conspirators.
“It seems to me so, Clarita,” replied the young man.
“It is so very long since I have seen you, I did not recognize you again. How have you been able to tear yourself away from your strangers?”
“My strangers! I renounce the property.”