“And I give you my word, wife, that my thumbs are sore.”
“Bah! you are a tender creature; and I have three calls to make before dinner, and you know that we dine at Madame Dumeillan’s, who has a box at the Porte-Saint-Martin.”
“That is so, we dine out. Just imagine, my dear Blémont, that we have so many invitations that we don’t know which to accept.”
“They dine early too. Oh dear! how unfortunate I am! I shall never be ready in time.”
Madame Giraud had said enough for me. Delighted by what I had learned, I walked toward her.
“If you will allow me, madame, perhaps I may be more successful than your maid.”
Madame Giraud smiled most graciously at me and instantly turned her back, saying:
“How kind you are, Monsieur Blémont! What, do you really mean that you——?”
“With great pleasure, madame.”
I was not a novice at fastening dresses; I took the belt on each side, and although I hurt my fingers a little, the dress was fastened; and I did it as if it had cost me no effort at all.