"Yes, a charming day, sir," she said, rising; "did you say it was pleasant? I agree with you. If I dared!" she added to herself, "if I only dared! But what do I not dare!"
And she abruptly left the room, to the profound astonishment of Jacques, who sat gazing after her with wide-extended eyes.
"I told you he was in love with her, my dear Miss Belle-bouche, since you say that will in future be your name—it is either with you or Madam Philippa."
These words were uttered in a confidential whisper to Belle-bouche by Sir Asinus, who was leaning forward gracefully in a tall carven-backed chair toward his companion, who reposed luxuriously upon an ottoman covered with damask, and ornamented quoad the legs with satyr heads.
Belle-bouche suffered her glance to follow that of her companion. Jacques was indeed, as we have said, gazing after the lady who had just departed, and for this purpose had opened his eyes to their greatest possible width. He resembled a china mandarin in the costume of Louis Quatorze.
"Am I mistaken?" said Sir Asinus.
Belle-bouche sighed.
"A plain case: he is even now saying to himself, my dear Miss Belle-bouche,
'Quis desiderio sit pudor aut modus
Jam cari capitis——'
which means, 'How can I make up my mind to see you go up stairs?'"