"Oh! but you're a gallant à la rose, you are! Why, I almost had to force monsieur to kiss me!"
"Oh! what things you say, Rosette!"
"What's that? Don't lovers always kiss? Do you suppose madame thinks that we pass our time whispering in each other's ears?"
Madame Dauberny turned her face away to laugh. I wished that I were heaven knows where. I should certainly remember that excursion to the country.
We returned to the restaurant. There I tried to recover my good humor. In the first place, as the table was round, I was naturally seated between Frédérique and Rosette—no more with one than with the other. They served us a delicious dinner, with choice wines.
"Good!" said Rosette; "this was well ordered! These gentlemen have distinguished themselves! I give this pomard my esteem."
"Never fear," said Balloquet; "we shall have some ladies' wines too."
"What do you mean by ladies' wines? sweet ones, I suppose?"
"Exactly."
"I warn you that I can't endure your sweet wines, except champagne; and unless madame cares for them——"