“Greatly to be pitied, aren’t you, for being chosen to receive a young lady’s confidence!” rejoined Madame Monin, smiling at Monsieur Bisbis.
Whereupon Monin allowed the girl to take his hand and lead him to a corner of the salon, where she whispered in his ear:
“It’s been a very fine day, monsieur.”
Monin stared at the young lady with a dazed expression.
“What must I answer?” said he.
“Nothing,” was the reply.
And the girl returned to her place, while Monin found his way back to his wife, saying to the people about him:
“It’s a pretty game! I didn’t know that I knew how to play it.”
The next forfeit was Athalie’s. She was condemned to sulk, and all the men sulked with her; and while sulking, Dalville obtained an assignation. A very pretty thing, these innocent games! Well-brought-up young ladies are forbidden to waltz, but they are permitted to give or receive confidences, to hide with a young man, or to wait in a little dark closet until the concierge of the convent is relieved; and there are always kisses to be given and received in corners, secretly, behind curtains. If I ever have a daughter, I shall allow her to waltz in my presence, but forbid her to play innocent games.
The spectacled man was condemned to pay a compliment without using the letter a. After scratching his forehead, he stepped into the middle of the circle and said with a satisfied air: “La femme est le chef-d’œuvre du monde.”