"Why, it seems to me quite natural that I should come to my father's house. To be sure, it doesn't happen very often: I have so little time to myself! When one goes much into society, one must make and receive so many calls, dress, give orders when one entertains. And, by the way, we give a large party in six days, to inaugurate our winter evenings.—I came to tell you, Adolphine, so that you may have time to prepare a bewitching costume, do you hear? I will advise you, of course, for you don't keep very well abreast of the fashions.—But I thought that you were abroad, Monsieur Gustave?"
"I have just come from Spain, mademoiselle—I beg your pardon—madame. I have been away about five months."
"Indeed! then that is why you look so brown; but that doesn't do you any harm—far from it. Did you enjoy yourself?"
"Enjoy myself? not exactly that, madame; but that wasn't what I went for."
"They say that the women are very pretty in Spain; that their eyes, especially, are dazzlingly bright. Is it true, Monsieur Gustave? Did you see any eyes in that country that excel those of us Frenchwomen?"
"I saw none, madame, which could be compared to——"
The young man checked himself, and added:
"I saw none which made me forget those of the Parisian women."
"Good! that is very polite! And you are settled in Paris now?"
"I do not know, madame; that will depend on—my uncle."