Blanchette laughed.
'He is very indulgent to her about Béthune. He may surely expect the usual equivalent in return.'
Loswa was irritated.
'He knows well enough that Béthune is nothing to her; Béthune has worshipped her for fifteen years. I admit that; but he has had his pains for his payment; she lets him follow her about, but it is only pour rire.'
Blanchette laughed and flicked her horse's throat with her little white switch.
'You speak as if you were jealous! You always admired that cold woman. To return to the coming Desclée. Paris already talks of her, you say?'
'It is not my fault if it do not,' she thought.
'Vaguely, yes,' answered Loswa. 'It has an expectation of some new talent which has what all talent in our generation requires: a prop of gold behind it.'
'Have you discreetly whispered that it is one with the original of a sketch of a fishing girl?'
Loswa smiled.