"Everybody, yes, but not monsters. On my word, I detest monsters—but I idolize beauty."
As Tobie concluded this sentence, he took Madame Plays's hand and imprinted a kiss upon it; the charming creature allowed her hand to be kissed without objection.
The waiter brought the ices; as he placed them on the table, he looked with amazement at the lady who did not like biscuits; he spent a long time arranging the ices and spoons, and when he had finished he did not leave the room; so that Pigeonnier was obliged to say to him:
"That's all right; when I want anything, I will ring."
The waiter departed at last, and Tobie seated himself beside Madame Plays, placed an ice in front of her, and said:
"I trust that you will not be like this to me."
"What do you mean? flavored with vanilla?"
"No, no; I meant that—if you would not be like ice to me——"
"Indeed! Is that what Albert told you to say to me?"
"Oh! but you know—when one's friends are not by—and one has a burning heart—and one finds one's self beside such a charming woman——"