Three times I found Giraud eating ices or carrying them to his wife. He had brought only two of his children; the two older ones; that was very considerate of him. I was so happy that I asked Madame Giraud to dance, and she seemed highly flattered by that courtesy. But what did it matter to me with whom I danced when it was not Eugénie? I no longer thought of paying court to ladies; other times, other ideas. “Your ball is delightful,” said Bélan, leading me into a salon where card playing was in progress, but where it was possible to move about. “There are at least four hundred people here.” “Faith! I should be hard put to it to say how many there are here. If they are enjoying themselves, that is all that is necessary.” “It will be like this at my wedding. What do you think of Armide?” “She is very attractive.” “And her eyes?” “They are superb.” “They are extraordinary, are they not? Well, my dear fellow, she has everything like that,--wit, talents, and such an air of distinction! Did you see us dancing together?” “Yes.” “Didn’t we get along well?” “It is a pity that you are a little short beside her.” “Short! you are joking. She is a little tall! However, when a man is built as I am, it is worth three inches of height. I certainly wouldn’t change figures with that tall, lanky man in front of us. Those tall fellows are always awkward. Have you seen Madame de Beausire?” “I don’t think so.” “Come then, and let me present you to her. You will see a woman who hasn’t a single touch of the plebeian; she is the type of true distinction.” I submitted to be led away; I did whatever anyone wanted that night. I saw a tall, yellow woman who resembled a piece of old tapestry, and who looked as if she had never laughed since she came into the world. I made haste to bow and to run away. It seemed to me that one must necessarily catch the _spleen_ in Madame de Beausire’s company. The supper hour arrived; at last the ball was drawing to a close; and although I was not exactly bored, still I should have been very glad to be at home with my wife. The ladies were conducted to their seats. I looked after the comfort of everybody; I saw that the tables, large and small alike, were properly waited upon. “Pray rest a moment and eat something,” people said to me. Much I thought about eating! I preferred to hurry the supper of that multitude. I found Giraud and his two children sitting at a small table with three young men. Giraud had a currant cake on his knees, and he had slipped a bowl of jelly under the table, not choosing to pass it, for fear it would not come back to him. I called for fish, chickens, and pâté; I covered his children’s plates with cakes. Giraud was in ecstasy; he shook my hand, murmuring: “This is one of the finest weddings I have ever seen, and God knows that I have seen a tremendous number of them!”