"Not the feet; that would be uncomfortable. I said elbows."
"Ja! te knees."
"Impromptu parties forever! they are the only merry ones. Certainly I had no idea this morning that I should have you gentlemen to supper this evening, or rather to-night; and you didn't expect to come here."
"We did not foresee our good fortune."
"Oh! you are stupefying with your compliments, Rochebrune! I like to believe that you talk differently to the women you love. However, there are women who like that sort of talk; Armantine doesn't detest compliments."
"I assure you, madame, that I had no intention of paying you one. But one can no longer say what one thinks. This supper is a genuine piece of good fortune, so far as I am concerned: I was depressed, you have restored my good spirits; I had abandoned all hope, you have renewed it; in truth, I can't tell you why I feel so happy now! You are willing that we should say just what we think, are you not?"
"Oh, yes! for I do, myself."
"Well, you have a headdress that does my heart good! If you knew how becoming it is to you!—Isn't it true, baron, that madame's headdress is fascinating?"
The baron began by offering me his hand; I had no choice but to take it; and he began to shake mine, crying:
"You not pe in loafe mit her, nicht wahr? you haf id to me pevore supper bromised."