Meanwhile, the conversation did not flag. Everybody talked and laughed at once. They manifested the greatest consideration for Baron Potoski; the marchioness overwhelmed him with attentions, the old baroness invited him to visit her in the country, the viscountess smiled upon him, and Madame de Grandcourt flashed glances at him the meaning whereof was not at all equivocal, while the men applauded everything he said. Dubourg was flattered by these attentions, for the shrewdest and cleverest men generally allow themselves to be cajoled by anything that flatters their self-esteem. Punch, liqueurs, and sweetmeats were served, and the whole company pounced upon them. The old baroness drank like a porter, the viscountess stuffed herself with cakes, and the languorous Grandcourt swallowed two glasses of punch in rapid succession, exclaiming that it was not strong enough. Dubourg imitated his neighbors; he helped himself to punch, and complimented Madame de Versac on the liveliness of her company. "Oh! we don't stand on ceremony," she replied; "what's the use of tedious formalities between people who are all as good as one another?" "True, you are right; I like this sort of thing," said Dubourg, beginning already to feel the effects of the punch. "Etiquette is a burden that people of sense should leave at the door." "Ah! Monsieur de Potoski, you talk like Barême!" said the old baroness, returning to the punch. "You are a palatine of the old stock." "Not very old, madame." "But the best, at all events," said Madame de Versac, resting her foot lightly on Dubourg's; whereupon he turned and tried to gaze tenderly at her, at the same time passing his hand behind the marchioness, who allowed him to take liberties without seeming to notice it, which Dubourg considered very patrician behavior. "For my part, I like to talk nonsense," said the young viscountess, who was beginning to venture upon a sentence or two, now that she had eaten. "It makes me tired when[B] everyone's sober-faced." [B] "_Ousqu'on_ est serieux," instead of _quand on_, etc. The viscountess's _ousqu'on_ made Dubourg wince; Madame de Versac noticed it, and made haste to whisper to him: "She's a German; she speaks with a strong accent." "But aren't you going to give us something to do this evening, madame la marquise?" said the chevalier, pulling at his sleeves to lengthen them. "That's so, my love," said the baroness; "why don't we play cards?" "Ah! yes, let us do something," said Madame de Grandcourt, rolling her eyes seductively; "I must always be doing something." "Perhaps Monsieur de Potoski does not play?" said the marchioness, turning to Dubourg. "I beg your pardon, madame; I shall be very glad to play." "In that case, I will start the tables. You are sure that you care to play, baron?" "With great pleasure, madame," said Dubourg, overjoyed to have an excuse for removing his hand, which he was tired of holding behind Madame de Versac's back.