“Ja,” said the Baron, smiling; “I feel ver’ much dat I shall do some business.”
“Then you have seen the fair being?” asked Madame de Nucingen.
“No,” said he; “I have only hoped to see her.”
“Do men ever love their wives so?” cried Madame de Nucingen, feeling, or affecting to feel, a little jealous.
“When you have got her, you must ask us to sup with her,” said du Tillet to the Baron, “for I am very curious to study the creature who has made you so young as you are.”
“She is a cheff-d’oeufre of creation!” replied the old banker.
“He will be swindled like a boy,” said Rastignac in Delphine’s ear.
“Pooh! he makes quite enough money to——”
“To give a little back, I suppose,” said du Tillet, interrupting the Baroness.
Nucingen was walking up and down the room as if his legs had the fidgets.