"Very good! things seem to run as smoothly as if they were on wheels."
"Now, will you allow me to take my turn and ask you a few questions, monsieur?"
"I should say so! all the questions you please, Madame Joseph—I should say, Madame Putiphar! Have some chartreuse—to drink with these damsels!"
"Yes, yes, let's take a drink!—Do you like chartreuse, Putiphar?"
"If it's green, I'm afraid of it; it's too strong."
"This is yellow, and that other green."
"In that case, I'll let you tempt me. My word! but Monsieur Godichet can brag of knowing how to do things in good shape!"
Madame Putiphar sipped the yellow chartreuse, but it did not make her forget the great stroke of business of which she had caught a glimpse.
"Will you be good enough to tell me your count's age first of all, monsieur?"
"Thirty-six; he looks forty, but it's his own doing."