All the young ladies were silent and looked at the ground. There was a moment’s pause, which Eudoxie broke, saying:
"Monsieur de la Roche-Noire is certainly very gallant; his fête is delightful; if only he won’t have those vulgar peasants fight any more, for that is a spectacle which I cannot endure."
"Well I would have liked to climb the greased pole!" said a little girl of ten to her older sister.
"Oh! that would have been very nice, mademoiselle!" replied the sister; "to do as that vulgar creature did and show your——"
The older sister suddenly checked herself and turned as red as a beet; all the young ladies lowered their eyes once more. Renewed silence, which amused the young men immensely.
"You gentlemen did not come with Monsieur de la Roche-Noire to the last parties which were given in our town?" said Eudoxie, addressing Alfred.
"As we knew no one at Saint-Amand, mademoiselle, we thought that it would be impertinent to try to obtain our own inclusion in invitations which were addressed solely to the new owner of this estate."
"Why so, pray, monsieur? My father will certainly be charmed to become better acquainted with Monsieur le Baron de Marcey."
"And with Monsieur Edouard de Beaumont," said Eudoxie.
"It is not de Beaumont." replied Edouard, with a bow, "it is Beaumont simply."