In the corner opposite to Grantaire, Joly and Bahorel were playing at dominos and talking of love affairs.
"You are happy," said Joly; "you have a mistress who is always laughing."
"It is a fault she commits," Bahorel answered; "a man's mistress does wrong to laugh, for it encourages him to deceive her, for seeing her gay saves you from remorse. If you see her sad you have scruples of conscience."
"Ungrateful man! a woman who laughs is so nice, and you never quarrel."
"That results from the treaty we made; on forming our little holy alliance, we gave each other a frontier which we never step beyond. Hence comes peace."
"Peace is digesting happiness."
"And you, Jolllly, how does your quarrel stand with Mamselle—you know whom I mean?"
"Oh! she still sulks with a cruel patience."
"And yet you are a lover of most touching thinness."
"Alas!"