“Another of your bits of vanity.”
“It is done, then. Thank you.” She smiled at me mincingly, for the vinegar stung her lips a little.
With her moistened finger she took a patch which she placed with charming coquetry under her eye, and another which she placed near the corner of her mouth, and then, radiant and adorable, exclaimed: “Hide away your little color-pots; I hear your uncle coming for me. Clasp my bracelets for me. Midnight! O my poor horses!”
At that moment my uncle entered in silk shorts and a domino.
“I hope I do not intrude,” said he, gayly, on seeing me.
“What nonsense!” said my aunt, turning toward him. “Ernest is going to the Embassy, like ourselves, and I have offered him a seat in the carriage.”
At the aspect of my aunt, my uncle, dazzled, held out his gloved hand to her, saying, “You are enchanting this evening, my dear.” Then, with a sly smile, “Your complexion has a fine brightness, and your eyes have a wonderful brilliancy.”
“Oh, it is the fire they have been making up—it is stifling here. But you, my dear, you look splendid; I have never seen your beard so black.”
“It is because I am so pale—I am frozen. Jean forgot to look after my fire at all, and it went out. Are you ready?”
My aunt smiled in turn as she took up her fan.