“What’s the matter?”
“And it is you whom she selects for such errands?”
“Why not?”
“Poor Chamoureau!”
“De Belleville, I beg you, Freluchon; De Belleville! Don’t call me anything else.”
“Very well, my dear Seigneur de Belleville—for if you are not yet a seigneur, I am sure that you soon will be——”
“Do you think so?”
“You are well fitted to reach any height—with the help of your wife’s cotillon.”
“What do you mean by her cotillon?”
“In other words, her influence. You will thank Madame de Belleville, in my behalf; I do not expect to avail myself of her invitation.”