"I promised De Vangrisse I'd be at De Farraud's some time to-night. Forget the lovely Clothilde, Philippe. Bethink you, your so dear friend Bancroft will come to Farraud's in De Chambert's train!"
Philip was fixing a long ruby ear-ring in his right ear, but he stopped suddenly, and looked over his shoulder at De Bergeret.
"Comment?"
"Why, you leap to my bait!" said De Bergeret, amused. "I thought you could not resist so great an attraction!"
Philip fixed the ruby and swept round for his cloak and hat.
"Faith, that can I not. I come, Jules, I come! François, thou rogue, my snuff-box! Would that he may be wearing that salmon-pink! François, my cane! Jules, you are sitting on my cloak! Sangdieu! My new cloak!" He swept De Bergeret off the coat, and shook out the soft, rose-lined folds. "God be praised, it is unhurt!" With a deft movement he swung it over his shoulders and fastened it. "My hat! Jules, what think you of my hat?"
"A grey hat! Philippe, what an audacity! You are really coming to De Farraud's?"
"To meet the so dear M. Bancroft. En avant, Jules!"
De Bergeret went to the glass.
"Cultivate a more restful manner, mon petit! I am not to be hurried. Do you like this mixture of violet and cream?"