"After all, there are some very pretty shoe-stitchers; if she is virtuous enough to have only one lover, I shall have made a lucky find all the same; she's a little thin, but she must be pretty. I'll tell Freluchon that she's in the ballet at the Cirque. She's a blonde, and I don't dislike blondes.—Tell me, lovely domino," he said aloud, "did you come to the ball alone?"
"No, monsieur, I came with a friend of mine; but she was looking for someone, and when she met him, I left them; I was afraid of being in their way."
"That was most thoughtful! So then you are free?"
"Yes, monsieur, entirely free!"
"And no previous entanglement—no liaison?"
"Oh! none at all! absolutely none! I can safely swear that it's two years since I have walked alone with a gentleman."
Chamoureau was in raptures at the thought that he was walking with a woman to whom such a thing had not happened for two years. In his enthusiasm he said to himself:
"With this one I can safely try a stick of candy; she deserves it more than the others did; her frankness and innocence are worthy of the prize of virtue!"
And he escorted his domino to the buffet, saying:
"Pray, take something."