“Why, monsieur, you must tell everyone to do what he pleases; no sort of restraint; that’s how people amuse themselves in the country. Isn’t the baron here, to help you to do the honors?”
“Monsieur de Schtapelmerg is playing, madame; he’s an indefatigable gambler, you know. Whenever he can get hold of anybody to play with him, he goes at it. At this moment he is at a game of billiards with Monsieur Luminot, who has just arrived; and the baron is making some magnificent shots.”
“I hope, monsieur, that you won’t both drink too much to-day as you did yesterday; I understand that the baron fell into a mud-hole.”
“Not at all; he slipped, made a misstep; that may happen to anybody.”
“For shame, monsieur! the idea of a man who has a fine house, and horses and carriages, getting tipsy like any porter!”
“I swear, madame——”
“If the baron doesn’t behave better, I’ll turn him out of doors.”
“Turn Monsieur de Schtapelmerg, your old friend, out of doors!”
“Well, well! I must go and dress. Send Héloïse to me.”
“What! my dear love, aren’t you coming to the salon to receive your guests?”