"My friend, she is adorable! Wit to the tips of her finger-nails; fine figure, lovely eyes, distinguished face, original disposition! I can't understand why you've never been in love with her. For my part, I'm caught; I'm in for it!"
"You are making a mistake; you'll waste your time."
"Why so? nobody knows! She laughs heartily at what I say."
"Well! what about that bunch of violets?" asked Rosette, as she joined us.
"I didn't find anything but dandelions and coltsfoot."
"Thanks! then you can keep your bouquet; I don't want it."
"Suppose we stroll back in the direction of our dinner?" said Frédérique.
"Yes, madame is right," said Rosette; "especially as walking's very monotonous. I have a lover who's in such low spirits to-day! Imagine, madame, that he's never suggested rolling on the grass with me!"
Frédérique cast a mocking glance in my direction.
"If my companion had made such a proposition to me," murmured Balloquet, puffing himself up, "I should have accepted with thanks; I would have rolled like an ass."