"You will give me your custom, I hope? Send me your doctor à la rose too, with or without his gloves."
"I will send all my acquaintances to you."
"Oh! I haven't told you—on Sundays, I have my seven aunts in the shop, and people come in just from curiosity; we make a lot of money that day."
I left Rosette and returned to Fontenay. I showed Frédérique all that I had bought for Mignonne; I proposed that the young woman should wear a costume which would enhance the charms of her person, and I suggested that Frédérique should superintend her toilet. She approved all that I had done; I fancy that she also divined a great part of what I intended to do.
The reception day came in due time. The Ramonet brothers and several other neighbors arrived before dinner. Armantine was among those invited. I was very glad of it; I should have regretted her not being there on that day. Balloquet soon appeared, and then our old friend the Baron von Brunzbrack, who wrung my hand with great force, saying:
"I vould like to pe your frent no more, but I vas, all te same."
"Why should you not be my friend, monsieur le baron?"
"Because, ven she haf sent me a letter of invitation, Montame Dauberny, she haf told me dat she loafe you, but dat she offer to me her frentship."
"Well, baron, isn't it something to be her friend?"
"Ja, ja; but I vas right, ven I haf susbect dat you pe in loafe mit her."