“What is the matter with you, mamma?”
“Chérie, I am rather tired to-night, and these good children are anxious to get home.”
“It was hardly worth coming to go away so soon,” said Blanche, “and I have made an engagement for the cotillon.”
“With whom?”
“The Marquis de Cholcourt.”
“Ha! My dear child, I am always ready to sacrifice myself to your pleasure.... If your young friends don’t mind waiting, I will stay for the cotillon.”
“Pardon, ma mère,” said Léon, “Blanche prefers your comfort to her amusement; she will go home now.”
“My son, you should consider your sister. If she has made an engagement....”
“I will make her excuses to Cholcourt.”
Mme. Léopold looked exceeding displeased, and tried to convey the full motives of her displeasure to Léon through her eyes. But Léon would not see it. Blanche saw there was a conflict between the two, and she sided with her brother.