"Well, then," said Denoisel to Mme. Bourjot, "let us go on to the sixth scene, mademoiselle. We'll hear what they have to say about that, for I think you do it very well indeed; and as my vanity as professor is at stake, Mme. Bourjot will perhaps allow me----" "Oh, monsieur," said Mme. Bourjot, "I do not think it has anything to do with the professor in this case; you are not responsible at all." The scene was given and Mme. Bourjot continued, "Yes, oh yes, that wasn't bad; that might pass. It's a namby-pamby sort of scene, and that suits her. Then, too, she does her utmost; there's nothing to be said on that score." "Oh, you are severe!" exclaimed Mme. Mauperin. "You see, I'm her mother," murmured Mme. Bourjot, with a kind of sigh. "And then you'll have a crowd of people here----" "Oh, you know one always gets more people than one wants on such occasions," said Mme. Mauperin. "There is always a certain amount of curiosity. I suppose there will be about a hundred and fifty people." "Suppose I were to make the list, mamma?" suggested Renee, who was anxious to spare Noemi the rest of the rehearsal, as she saw how ill at ease her friend was. "It would be a good way of introducing our guests to Mme. Bourjot. You will make the acquaintance of our acquaintances, madame." "I shall be very pleased," replied Mme. Bourjot. "It will be rather a mixed dish, I warn you. It always seems to me that the people one visits are rather like folks one comes across in a stage-coach." "Oh, that's a delightful idea--and so true too," said Mme. Bourjot. Renee took her seat at the table and began to write down with a pencil the names of the people, talking herself all the time. "First comes the family--we'll leave that. Now, then, who is there? Mme. and Mlle. Chanut, a girl with teeth like the pieces of broken glass people put on their walls--you know what I mean. M. and Mme. de Belizard--people say that they feed their horses with visiting-cards." "Renee, Renee, come, what will every one think of you?" "Oh, my reputation's made. I needn't trouble any more about that. Then, too, if you imagine that people don't say quite as much about me as I say----" "Oh, let her alone, please, let her alone," said Mme. Bourjot to Mme. Mauperin, and turning to Renee she asked with a smile, "And who comes next?"