Valentine made no reply.
A few moments later she rang, and said to Madame de Ravenelle:
"I am going to tell Miretta to finish this tapestry; the work tires me, and the little Béarnaise does it so beautifully!—She did that corner, and it's much better than I can do. She is running over with talent, that girl—she has excellent taste in everything; she trims a cap with marvellous skill!—Will you allow her to work here, aunt, on my stool? We shall not have any visitors to-day."
The old lady confined herself to a nod of assent.
Miretta entered the salon.
"Come here, Miretta," said Valentine, pointing to the stool; "sit here, and work on my embroidery; this work bores me; in any event, I am in no mood to hold a needle this morning; I am tired. Sit down. Are you comfortable?"
"Yes, mademoiselle."
"Don't hurry, work at your ease; this foot rest is not needed at present.—Did you see everybody last night, Miretta?"
"Yes, mademoiselle; I helped the ladies to take off their cloaks and mantles and shawls in the small reception room."
"Ah! to be sure. There were some very pretty ladies, were there not?"