“Well, things is coming to a pretty pass! I couldn’t have believed it if I’d been told.”
She went out, and, according to her custom, slammed the door, but it was not heeded now; and soon after, with the affectionate kisses of their aunts moist upon their cheeks, the two girls strolled along one of the paths in the direction of the Lion Gate.
For a time they were very silent, but at last, after two or three sidelong glances at Marie, Clotilde opened the ball.
“Well, dear,” she said, “what do you think of it?”
Marie remained silent.
“For my part,” continued Clotilde, “I think it horrible. It’s like being sold into a seraglio. I won’t have him.”
“Then why did you accept that bracelet?” exclaimed Marie sharply.
“Because it was very beautiful, my dear sister; because I only had a wretchedly common porte bonheur; and, lastly, because it was of diamonds, and I liked it.”
“But it was like telling the man you would have him.”
“Then why did you accept that pearl ring Lord Henry sent you, sweet sissy?”