“There are some rich men here to-night. We can make a big coup if we are careful.”
Then, turning to her guests, she exclaimed—
“Cease your chatter, please, just for one moment. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce to you—”
This was greeted with discordant cries—
“Enough! Everybody knows Pierre.”
“Ladies, do please listen to me,” implored Valérie. Continuing, Valérie again endeavoured to make herself heard.
“Gentlemen, I—”
At that moment somebody commenced to strum a waltz upon the piano, and, as if by magic, the twenty persons in the room rose to their feet and commenced to whirl madly round, while Valérie and Pierre stood at the door whispering and regarding the scene of Bacchanalian revelry with perfect satisfaction.
She liked to see her guests enjoy themselves.
“I want a few moments’ private conversation with you,” Pierre said, after they had been standing silent for a minute or two.