"So be it!—That won't give you indigestion. Meanwhile, I'll eat for two—and listen to you. Fire away!"
XII
GUSTAVE'S LOVE AFFAIR
"I was saying, Monsieur Arthur, that, as I had received permission to go to Monsieur Gerbault's house, you will divine that I took advantage of it."
"Yes, indeed.—This fish is perfect; you make a great mistake not to eat it."
"Monsieur Gerbault, formerly a clerk in one of the government offices, has only a modest fortune; he is a widower with two daughters, to both of whom he has given an excellent education. Fanny is talented; she is a good musician, and knows English and Italian."
"And her sister?"
"Adolphine plays the piano, too, and sings quite well. She is very sweet and of a very amiable disposition; but, you see, I didn't pay any attention to the sister; I had eyes for Fanny alone. Her grace, her wit, her lovely eyes, all combined to turn my head. She saw it plainly enough, and, far from repelling me, she seemed to try to redouble her charms, in order to make me more in love with her than ever."
"The devil! she's a shrewd coquette!"
"Oh! no, monsieur! but it's her nature always to make herself attractive; she can't help it."
"Here's the capon au gros sel.—Now's the time for the champagne frappé. Corbleu! you'll drink some of this."