We started. Rosette was in insanely high spirits. According to her habit, she said whatever came into her head, and sometimes her reflections were very comical. Frédérique also seemed to be in an amiable humor. Balloquet rivalled Rosette in gayety; I thought that I could detect a purpose on his part to play the gallant with Madame Dauberny. I cannot say why I considered that very idiotic of him. Surely she was an exceedingly attractive woman! And why should not he, a devoted admirer of the sex, try to please her? But Madame Dauberny would never listen to Balloquet. While I said that to myself, I was conscious of a feeling of irritation. Had I any right to take it amiss that Balloquet should make love to Frédérique, to whom I was nothing more than a friend? It followed that I was the only one of the party who was not hilarious. Rosette, noticing it, said to me from time to time: "I say, my dear man, what's the matter with you, anyway? We are all talking and laughing--you're the only one who don't say anything. Can it be that you are really cracked over one of my aunts?--You must excuse him, madame, for he met my seven aunts yesterday, and that's quite enough to destroy his peace of mind." I excused myself as best I could; I tried to laugh, but I made rather a failure of it; and the thing that vexed me most of all was that the more serious I became, the more Madame Dauberny laughed and jested. She held her own with Rosette in nonsense and droll remarks. Balloquet seemed enchanted; he became more and more attentive to his vis-à-vis, whose witty sallies completed the fascination begun by her beauty. For my part, I did not enjoy myself at all. At last we arrived at Saint-Mandé, and left the cab at the gate leading into the wood. We went at once to Grue's, to order our dinner and engage a private room; then we strolled away in the direction of Saint-Maur. Balloquet took possession once more of Frédérique's arm, which she laughingly accorded to him. It seemed to me that she laughed very freely with him. Rosette took my arm. "Is it the habit to walk arm in arm in the country?" I asked, in an indifferent tone. "I thought that everyone walked--or ran, on his own account." "For my part, I am very happy to be madame's escort," said Balloquet, with a smile. "Do you mean that it's a bore to you to give me your arm?" asked Rosette, pinching me till I was black and blue. "O mademoiselle! the idea!" "What's that--_mademoiselle?_ Call me _mademoiselle_ again, and see what happens!" "Mon Dieu! Rosette, you get angry about nothing!" "About nothing! I want you to _thou_ me! Let's not walk so fast." "But the others are away ahead." "Well! we shall overtake them in time. Don't be afraid of losing your way with me, you ugly monster!" "When people go out together, it's for the purpose of being together."