"Oho! there are several balls here, are there?" Balloquet asked a waiter, who was looking at us and smiling.
"Yes, messieurs; there are two wedding parties: one right below us, on the first floor, and another on the same floor, but in the salons at the rear."
"Ah! so there's a wedding going on in the rear, too?"
"To be sure, monsieur."
"What time is it now?"
"Half-past eleven, monsieur."
"The wedding parties should be at their height. Are there many guests?"
"A great many, monsieur. They are hardly able to dance, they're so crowded."
"Which is the more brilliant party?"
"They're both pretty fine, monsieur. But the one in front rather beats the other. It's a sweller affair."