"Deuce take it! what's the matter with all these prudes, that they hide their faces with their handkerchiefs? Can it be because they think that I have any desire to kiss them! Ah! I've seen prettier women than you—who didn't run away from me, my princesses!"
"To whom are you speaking, monsieur? Is it these ladies to whom you dare to address such language?"
"Hallo! who's this? where did he come from? Ah! what a noble head!"
"It is for you, monsieur, to answer those questions. Off with you, at once, or I'll put you out-of-doors."
"Out-of-doors, eh? Understand that I dined here—with my friend Gustave—Gustave something or other—and that I have as much right as you to stay here—that I won't go away."
"I forbid you to speak to these ladies."
"Thanks! I have my cue."
The ladies interposed to prevent a dispute, and succeeded in taking their champions away with them, saying:
"You can see that the man's drunk. What satisfaction do you expect to obtain from a man who hasn't his senses? Leave him there, and pay no more attention to him."
The men yielded to this request, and they left Cherami standing there and entered the ballroom.