"Oh! he finds me a borrower now and then. Will they bring their son?"
"Of course; they are mad over him, as you know. Naturally, we shall have Madame Putiphar; it is she who is arranging the match; and then, she knows the count's intimate friend, a very jovial young man, so it seems. Then I have invited your sister, Madame Trichon; she's an excellent woman."
"Yes, and a widow, without any children, whose heir I should be, if she should happen to die. But she's very hearty—she eats a lot!"
"To offset her, I have invited Monsieur Callé; he's a very distinguished young man, and he eats almost nothing."
"Do you really mean it? But what is the explanation of your inviting him?"
Aldegonde bit her lips for a second, trying to think of a reply. At last she found one:
"He is a very good musician; he sings well, and plays the flageolet. In the evening it will be pleasant to have a little music."
"Does the young man accompany himself on the flageolet when he sings?"
"No, but he can play for the dancing; I have invited several more people to come in in the evening; and if they want to dance——"
"Whom have you invited?"