As soon as the quadrille was at an end, I once more approached the spot where the two ladies had established themselves. Monsieur Saint-Bergame was still with them; but he did not frighten me—he bored me, that was all.
I cannot say whether the invitation I had just received had given me an air of triumph; but when she saw my face, Madame Sordeville smiled and exchanged a glance with her friend. I would have given—I cannot say how much, to know the meaning of that glance.
Monsieur Saint-Bergame said to Madame Dauberny, with a curl of the lip, and an affectation of familiarity:
"Do you expect to stay here long?"
"Why not? I am in no hurry; my mind is at rest; Monsieur Dauberny won't sit up for me."
"This party seems to me intolerably dull."
"You are exceedingly polite! For my part, I am enjoying myself immensely."
"Oh! you enjoy yourself everywhere, madame!"
"That is creditable to my temperament, at all events."
"There's a curious mixture of faces here—it's not homogeneous."