"But I mean that it doesn't resemble such notes as—as little Delphine had the presumption to write me."
"Who was this Delphine, monsieur le baron?"
"Oh! she was a little countess, on Boulevard du Temple, whose receptions used to be attended by a large number of noblemen of my stamp."
"Monsieur le baron will accept Madame la Marquise de Versac's invitation, of course?"
"Accept it? most assuredly. Let us dine at once, Monsieur Ménard, so that I need think of nothing but dressing. Where's Frédéric?"
"Admiring some new view, no doubt; he told me that he should not return till evening; I think he intends to leave Lyon to-morrow."
"To-morrow! Oh! we'll see about that; we have all the time there is, and we're very comfortable here, aren't we, Monsieur Ménard?"
"Very, monsieur le baron; but, you know, we are traveling for——"
"I know that we shouldn't leave a city till we know it thoroughly, and Frédéric can't know this city yet, as he's always in the suburbs. You must persuade him of that, Monsieur Ménard."
"I will do my utmost, monsieur le baron."