The count regretfully quitted the young bride and returned to the card-table, saying: "But monsieur doesn't need my advice; he plays very well." "Oh! you are too good, monsieur!" "I am well aware that Monsieur de la Beriniere prefers to pay court to the ladies rather than watch the game!" rejoined Madame de Mirallon, in a tone which she intended to be ironical, but in which there was a slight tincture of mortification; "but he can afford to spare us a few moments." "Whatever is agreeable to you, I will do, madame." "Indeed! But it did not suit your pleasure to join our game?" "Madame, if you would kindly attend to your play----" "Oh! Monsieur Clairval is so severe!" "No, madame; but we don't usually talk when we're playing whist." "Mon Dieu! if one must never say a word---- Ah! Monsieur Batonnin, that is too cruel! Don't you remember my signal?" "I beg your pardon, madame; but no man is required to do the impossible." "I don't understand proverbs." "That means," observed the count, with a laugh, "that monsieur has no club." "That makes no difference; his game was to play one." "Let us put our cards on the table, and play that way; it will be simpler," interposed Monsieur Clairval. "I had thutht ath lief; I played that way onth, a three-handed game with a dummy." "Monsieur de Raincy, I might justly complain, as well as madame; but I see that this is an evening of absent-mindedness." "Why, what did I do wrong. I don't thee----" "Oh! I shall tell you later." "I flatter mythelf that I play a fine game of whitht." "You are quite right!" "Well, Monsieur Batonnin! well! what are you thinking about?" "I thought you would trump, madame." "We've lost the odd--and it's your fault." "We have won." "Now for the rubber!" "I beg you, Monsieur de la Beriniere, stand behind Monsieur Batonnin.--Oh! he doesn't listen to me! he has gone to pay his court to Mademoiselle Adolphine. What a butterfly that man is, and when will he sober down?" "It seems to me," observed Monsieur Clairval, with a smile, "that it would be rather hard for him to change his habits now." The count had, in fact, approached Adolphine, who was still pretending to be absorbed in the music-books, and who apparently did not see that anyone was by her side. "You are fond of music, mademoiselle?" "Ah!--I beg your pardon. Yes, monsieur, very." "Do you sing?" "A little." "Young ladies are never willing to admit that they sing more than a little. I don't refer to you, mademoiselle. I am told that your voice is very sweet and true." "Your informant flatters me, monsieur." "Shall we have the pleasure of hearing you this evening?" "I don't know at all, monsieur. But, if it will gratify my sister----" "Your sister, of course; but the whole company as well." "Oh! whist players care but little for singing."