The family backed out of the room, bowing, and Giraud whispered in my ear:
“Has she a previous attachment? If this young man doesn’t suit her, I have others to offer. Write me what she has said to you.”
They left the salon at last, and they succeeded in finding Azor, who rushed out of the house with a mutton bone in his teeth.
When the visitors had gone, Caroline said to the maid and the gardener:
“If those people ever show their faces here again, don’t forget to say that we are not at home. Really, their impertinence is beyond bounds.”
“Never fear, mademoiselle,” said the cook; “I don’t want to see the masters again any more than the dog. I’ve got my dinner to prepare all over again now.”
“It’s my uncle’s fault; he invites everybody he sees; so long as they talk of the theatre and acting to him, that’s enough for him; he would declaim before chimney sweeps!”
“You go too far, niece; did I go in search of this gentleman, and tell him to bring his wife and children and dog? He thinks that I act well, and I see nothing extraordinary in that; many other people besides him have thought the same. But as to declaiming before chimney sweeps! However, chimney sweeps may have a very keen perception; the common people aren’t such bad judges as you seem to think, and Dugazon told me several times that at free performances the applause never came except when it was deserved. But you have no appreciation of acting, and before you it would be useless to have talent.”
Monsieur Roquencourt was offended; he left us and went to his room. I also attempted to leave, but Caroline detained me, saying:
“Just a moment, if you please. You know this Monsieur Giraud, who seemed determined to plant himself here with his whole family and his friends too. He spoke to you in an undertone. You told me that you would tell me the purpose of his visit; will you be kind enough to do so, monsieur?”