“May I not meet the fate of Orpheus,” said Paul; “but I think I should be more patient than he was when his Eurydice was coming out of Hades.” Clara looked at Paul thinking her own sweet thoughts.
“Now you must be just as happy, just as free, as children; yes, a hundred times more happy. We are all lovers. I am in love with several people, and Edward, he is also, but with one especially. Is it not so?” Susie added, turning to the young man, who blushed as prettily as a girl as he answered, “I should be very sorry to contradict Madam Susie.”
“That is not a frank admission.”
“Then I admit frankly.”
“That is as it should be,” said Paul. “I sympathize with Claude Melnotte, who would ‘have no friends that were not lovers.’”
“Oh, we must have some of that delicious Sauterne that we brought from France,” said Susie, addressing the count. “Red wine alone will never answer.” Edward disappeared in search of the wine.
“Why, Susie is as happy as we are, one would say,” said Clara.
“You think nothing but the prospect of marrying Paul ought to make any woman happy.”
“How sweet she looks, Paul!” said Clara, her whole face breaking into dimpling smiles. “I should think you would want to marry Susie too.”
“I do, of course,” answered the count gallantly; “but you know the wicked world has such prejudices! Susie had trouble enough abroad to convince people in hotels and auberges that we required separate apartments;” and he laughed, remembering certain scenes that had caused her vexation.