"No, no, I meant to say that the stylish people of the present day do riot write plays. He had nothing to do but follow their example, and keep himself quiet." "I thought you had been present at a full rehearsal." "So I have." "Well, I came in at the third act, and, _ma foi_, I found myself beside Mademoiselle ***, whom I had never seen off the stage: I talked with her for a long while, and heard nothing at all of De Gercourt's piece. She is a very nice person is Mademoiselle ***." "Then you know nothing of the play?" "Saint-Clair has seen two rehearsals, and says it is very weak. As for me I hope the thing may succeed most decidedly; but as to applauding like a _claqueur_, why, you see----" "Heaven defend us from that!" "Nothing can be in worse taste than to applaud." "All the club will be here." "Then they will come in _after_ dinner. That will be droll." "Ah! there is the Turkish ambassador." "Ah! and there is that nice Marquise de Luceval, who is displaying her neck to catch a glimpse of the ambassador, or be seen by him." "_Pardieu!_ and she who aims at every thing eccentric must have a great desire to coquet with this Turk." "I hate that woman: she turns every thing into ridicule." "And such a tongue!" "Do you really think her so very pretty?" "Why, why, she is nice and piquant, and her features are really good, but that's all." "Very different from Madame de Longpré, who is just entering her box! There is a really lovely woman." "She's with that silly little doll Madame Dinville." "Oh! that simpleton always hooks in with some fashionable woman." "Talking of Madame de Longpré, where can Maubray be?" "Just entering their box.--Can Monsieur de Longpré do without him?" "Unfortunate Longpré!" "And there is Mademoiselle Dumoulin with her baron. How handsome she is! You must confess that there are very few women like her in society." "True." "It is much less wearying, much more convenient. One need not be at any trouble, and is not compelled to make any display of attention." "No doubt; but men are so weak--vanity will predominate." "Most decidedly the Princess de Hansfeld is in high beauty to-night. How charmingly that garnet-coloured gown becomes her! What splendid shoulders! I never had so good a view of her before. Who is that with her?" "Madame de Lormoy, De Morville's aunt." "But I should say there was some one else at the back of the box?" "No." "Yes, I assure you." "The boxes are so dark." "Perhaps it is the prince." "What! have they released him then?" "So it appears; but we can't see his face--De Morville's aunt hides him." "Talking of De Morville, how is it he is not here,--he, the bosom friend of Gercourt?" "He will be here: I met him. His mother is better." "And how is he?" "How is he?" "Not yet cured of his English complaint?" "No; really his is an incurable fidelity."