"Rather he, for he is very agreeable, and it would be a pity if anything should happen to him!"
"Nothing will happen to him. See how indifferent Léodgard is to me! He passed us while I was on the marquis's arm, and did not even notice us!"
"Oh! do not torment yourself!—Think of nothing but your fête—it is simply delicious! There are great numbers of very attractive gentlemen here; you expect nobody else, I suppose?"
"I believe that everybody has come.—Oh, yes! I did also invite—but I suspected that it would be useless; he will not come."
"Who is it?"
"Do you remember that gentleman in black, whom we tried in vain to rouse one night, at a fête given by Léodgard?"
"The Sire de Jarnonville, was it not?"
"Precisely."
"Oh! what a pity that he is not here! I considered him very original. Why should he not come?"
"Because for some time past he has not been seen at any festivity; he no longer drinks, no longer gambles, no longer fights, even! In short, he is a lost man, so far as his friends are concerned! That is why I feel sure that he will not come."