"I don't know whether Rousseau was a consummate musician, but I wish that somebody would give us something equal to his _Devin du Village_." "I am with you there, monsieur, although it should have a new orchestration." "My wife is a fine performer on the piano, and she has a good voice; we have music at our house on Thursdays; that is the day the music lovers assemble. If it would be agreeable to you to hear them and to join them----" "You are too kind, monsieur; it will be a very great pleasure to me. I can listen to music twelve hours at a time, without tiring." "We shall rely upon you, then, monsieur, on Thursdays especially. But you will be welcome at any time. Do you know our address?" "No, I do not." "Here is my card." Having handed me his card, Monsieur Sordeville walked away. On my word! a charming husband! he anticipated my dearest wish. And yet, he did not act like a simpleton. Oh, no! he certainly was not one of those obliging husbands who see nothing of what goes on under their roofs. Madame Frédérique was right in her prediction that he would invite me. I was decidedly puzzled; but I could see nothing in it at all that augured ill for me. Madame Sordeville was very pretty, very captivating. I felt that I should love her passionately. I did not know whether she was inclined to follow her friend Frédérique's example, but I had permission to call at her house, and that was something. As soon as the quadrille was at an end, I once more approached the spot where the two ladies had established themselves. Monsieur Saint-Bergame was still with them; but he did not frighten me--he bored me, that was all. I cannot say whether the invitation I had just received had given me an air of triumph; but when she saw my face, Madame Sordeville smiled and exchanged a glance with her friend. I would have given--I cannot say how much, to know the meaning of that glance. Monsieur Saint-Bergame said to Madame Dauberny, with a curl of the lip, and an affectation of familiarity: "Do you expect to stay here long?" "Why not? I am in no hurry; my mind is at rest; Monsieur Dauberny won't sit up for me." "This party seems to me intolerably dull." "You are exceedingly polite! For my part, I am enjoying myself immensely." "Oh! you enjoy yourself everywhere, madame!" "That is creditable to my temperament, at all events." "There's a curious mixture of faces here--it's not homogeneous." "Very good! try to write an amusing article about it; it will be a windfall to you." "On my word, you are very sharp this evening!" "I thought that you were used to it." "The next contra-dance is mine, you know, madame?" I said to Madame Sordeville. "Yes, monsieur, to be sure; I have not forgotten it." Her manner as she made that reply was charming. Women have a way of saying the most trivial things which gives them enormous value in our eyes. That depends considerably, however, on one's frame of mind.