Monsieur d’Hurbain, considering that the Mozambique dance went altogether too far, rose and said:
“Very good, mesdames, but that will do; you must be tired.”
“Bah!” cried Mademoiselle Malvina, “I’d like to dance the cancan myself! I’m rather good at the cancan.”
Daréna, who was desirous that the effect produced by the dance should not be wasted, ran to Chérubin and took his arm, saying:
“Now we are going back to Paris; we are to dine at the Rocher de Cancale with these ladies, and they hope that you will join us, for the party would not be complete without you.”
Chérubin was excited, and he hesitated. Daréna made a sign to the dancers, who at once surrounded the youth, saying:
“Oh, yes, monsieur, come to Paris with us!”
“You must go to the Opéra to-night; you will see us dance there, and it will be rather different from what it was in this room.”
“It would be very mean of you to refuse us.”
“And then,” cried Malvina, “at the Rocher de Cancale! That’s the place to get a good dinner! I’m going to stuff myself, I am!”