"Only a passing observation of signs—quite allowable in warfare!"
"But I thought we had made a compact of peace."
"True enough, we did make it, but suppose it were only an armistice?"
"You are ready, then, to resume hostilities?" said Henri.
"Now that I have Madame la Duchesse, your sister, for an ally, I fear no enemies."
"Not even if I should call for aid upon the camp of Desvanneaux?"
"Alceste leagued with Tartufe? That idea never occurred to Moliere," said Zibeline, mischievously.
"Take care!" said the Duchess, interrupting this skirmishing, "you will fall over into the orchestra! It is growing late, and if Mademoiselle de Vermont does not wish to remain to see the final conflagration, we might go now, before the crowd begins to leave."
"I await your orders, Madame la Duchesse," said Zibeline, rising.
The other ladies followed her example, receiving their cloaks from the hands of their cavaliers, and the occupants of the box made their exit in the following order: Zibeline, on the arm of the Duke; the Comtesse de Lisieux, leaning upon M. de Nointel; Madame de Nointel with the General; the Duchess bringing up the procession with M. de Lisieux.