"Yes—that is to say, I did love her."
"And it's over already, because she played the coquette?"
"She paid no more attention to me than if I had been a perfect stranger."
"But she hasn't known you so very long! And then, I warn you that she is extremely capricious."
"Oh! I have noticed that; it's a wretched fault."
"It's common enough among petites-maîtresses. I am not capricious, myself; to be sure, I am not a petite-maîtresse! Pray drink, messieurs; you lag behind. You're not lusty suppers! Look at me: I'll set you an example."
Frédérique emptied her glass at one swallow. The baron tried to do the same, but swallowed it the wrong way; he left the table, to cough and stamp on the floor. The servant brought champagne and malvoisie; the supper was delicious. I began to feel less melancholy; Madame Dauberny's example led me on, and I did honor to the good cheer.
The baron, having ceased to cough, resumed his seat; his cheeks were beginning to turn purple.
"In a moment," said Frédérique, "I will dismiss the servant; then we will put our elbows on the table and talk nonsense."
"Ja! ja! nonzenz, I like to talk nonzenz; und mit unser foot on te table; tat vill be sehr amusing."