"Ah! upon my word! If he's a good-looking fellow--with that stupid, idiotic, conceited air!" "He has a good figure.--Double bezique!" "Sapristi! you never fail to get that.--And that pronunciation of his--do you think that's pretty, too?" "Not in singing, at all events.--Take your card, if you please, monsieur le comte!" "Ah! to be sure.--I was not paying attention. Whose play is it?" "Mine.--I have the honor of winning again. I have triple bezique--fifteen hundred!" "Is it possible?" "Look for yourself." "Well! I am not sorry it's over. I am not at all in the mood for cards to-night." XXIV MARRIAGE PROPOSALS Monsieur de la Beriniere left the table and went to talk with Adolphine; she, no less indifferent to the gallant speeches of the old count than to young Anatole's compliments, was equally amiable to both; for neither of them diverted her thoughts for a moment, and it is easy to be amiable when the heart is not involved. The party broke up at last; but, before taking their leave, the count and Monsieur de Raincy in turn exchanged a few words in undertones with Monsieur Gerbault; which proceeding aroused Monsieur Batonnin's curiosity to such an extent, that he went in the direction of the kitchen instead of toward the street-door. "It's your turn to be absent-minded, I see," observed Monsieur Clairval, satirically. "Oh! not at all; I made a mistake in the door; that may happen to anybody. Perhaps you thought that I had something to whisper to Monsieur Gerbault, like those two ahead of us?" "Ah! so they whispered to our friend Gerbault, did they? I confess that I didn't notice it, and, furthermore, that it's a matter of indifference to me." "And to me, too, of course; although I have an idea that I can guess what they had to say to Mademoiselle Adolphine's father." "Ah! you have an idea? The deuce! do you possess the art of divination, then?" "One needn't be a sorcerer to divine certain things.--Do you want me to tell you my conjectures?" "No, I thank you, Monsieur Batonnin, keep them to yourself; I don't appreciate conjectures; I like official facts only. Good-night!" "That means that he is vexed because he hasn't guessed it," said Batonnin to himself, as they separated. "For my part, I would bet--six francs to twenty--that young De Raincy and old De la Beriniere are in love with the charming Adolphine; and I would also bet--twenty francs to thirty--that the girl doesn't care for either of them. So much the better for me! I have all the more chance. Let us wait, let us let the mutton boil, as the common saying goes. That's an old proverb; and I am like Sancho, I love proverbs." Adolphine also had noticed her father's brief _aside_ with the count and with De Raincy. When all the guests had gone, she went to him, and said with a smile: "So those gentlemen have secrets with you, have they, father? for Monsieur de la Beriniere, and then Monsieur Anatole, whispered to you in a corner."