"Sabaroff? Why, he is here."
"I know that very well," said Mimi; "look at him over there talking to the lady in pearl grey."
"I see him; he is gazing her out of countenance," said de Lussac.
"Out of countenance? Out of corset, you mean. Sabaroff has a way of staring at a woman; it makes her quite nervous to be near him if she has on evening dress."
"My dear Mimi, I did not know you were so easily shocked."
"Oh! when I say a woman I don't mean myself—that sort of thing doesn't affect me, you may imagine. I am quite at his disposition—and yours too, yours especially—you are perfectly mashing to-night. After all these Englishmen, dear boy, it is a treat to look at a Frenchman; to be looked at by one—dessert after dinner."
Dora had heard it all. Her indignation was at boiling point.
"I am going to turn that creature out," she said to Lorimer.
"Oh, don't, I beg of you, Dora," replied Lorimer. "It might make a scandal—that woman would not hesitate to insult you."
But Dora was determined to get rid of Mimi, and, addressing her, said, "I will not trouble you to sing any more, mademoiselle; I will send you your cheque to-morrow." So saying, she turned her back on Mimi.