“Yes, madame.”
“Monsieur Droguet, run and put on a black coat.”
“Yes, wife. Must I change my waistcoat too?”
“Yes, if you have time. Mon Dieu! here they are! and I haven’t my jasmine cap! Joséphine, let them wait a moment in the salon. Say that I—that I——”
“I will say that madame is washing her hands.”
“No, indeed! that would be nice! You will say that I am taking a foot bath; that is much more comme il faut.”
Meanwhile Monsieur and Madame de Belleville had entered the house and given their names to the concierge, who performed the duties of footman as well.
Joséphine came to say that her mistress was taking a foot bath, and requested them to have the kindness to wait a moment in the salon into which she ushered them.
Thélénie proceeded at once to take a survey of the room, while Chamoureau gazed at the two full-length portraits, life size, representing the master and the mistress of the house.
“It’s very fine here,” he murmured; “handsome furniture, rich paper, and a superb clock!”