"Ja," said the baron, "eferyvere and elsevere."
XIX
THE LITTLE SUPPER PARTY
Frédérique led us through a narrow hall, at the end of which we entered a small room, well carpeted and deliciously warm; in each corner, and between the windows, were boxes of growing flowers. The apartment was too elegant for a dining-room, and not enough so for a boudoir. A table was laid there, with all the luxurious appointments that add so much to the charm of a repast.
"This, messieurs, is what I call my Petit Trianon, or my petits appartements—that is to say, it is the room where I receive my friends. I need not tell you that my husband is never admitted here. I believe that you did not come here to see him. We are like the sun and the moon: we are never seen together unless there is some serious disturbance in the solar system. As we have agreed that each of us shall enjoy absolute liberty, we live up to our agreement."
"Ten id is apsoludely as if you haf no husbant, hein? Ha! ha!"
"Oh! it isn't the same thing, by any means.—To table, messieurs!"
We took our places, Frédérique between us, of course. Her affable, unconventional manner instantly put her guests at their ease. The baron was radiant; he rolled his eyes about, and kept repeating:
"Ich loafe sehr viel your betit Trille-anon."
"Flowers everywhere!" I said, glancing at those on the table, and at the boxes that surrounded us.
"Yes, I adore them; I must always have some about me."