"Do you move people?" said the shepherdess; "so does my uncle!"
"No, no, I didn't say that. You misunderstood me, little shepherdess."
"Take off your nose, or I shall think you haven't got one underneath."
"Oh! what a shocking supposition! It may be that later, pretty domino, when we are tête-à-tête——"
"Nay, nay, Lisette! My dear man, when you make love to a woman, you must begin by showing her your nose. Isn't that so, Laïde?"
The shepherdess, who answered to the name of Laïde, replied simply:
"How hot it is here! God! how hot it is! And I'm eating dust! My chemise is just sticking to me. I'd like to take something, just the least bit refreshening. Ain't you thirsty?"
"Why, yes, I wouldn't mind a sip! My throat's all parched."
Chamoureau realized that that was the moment to show his gallantry; he offered the domino his arm, saying:
"Accept my arm and some refreshments, lovely masker; I will escort you to the buffet."