First came a young woman dressed as a Spaniard, then one dressed as an Odalisk, a third in a Swiss costume, and a fourth in the piquant garb of a Neapolitan. And they were all young, pretty, graceful and shapely; their eyes were bright, mischievous, and most alluring; and there was in their manner of jumping from the carriage, a surprising lightness and grace, and in their general bearing an uncommon absence of restraint. The villagers gazed at them in wide-eyed amazement. Monsieur Gérondif affected to lower his eyes, but he hazarded a glance nearly every minute. The notary glanced at Monfréville with an air of surprise, muttering: “What does all this mean?” Monfréville laughed heartily, as he replied: “Faith! I believe that he is cleverer than we are.” Meanwhile, Daréna took two of the ladies by the hand. “Come, Rosina and Malvina; follow us, Cœlina and Fœdora. We have come to pay our respects to the young Marquis de Grandvilain. Where is he? Ah, yes, I see him; this charming young man with the melting eyes is he. _Peste!_ be on your guard, mesdames; those eyes will make terrible havoc in your ranks.” As he spoke, Daréna entered the house with his companions. After ushering in his four ladies, who seemed not in the least embarrassed, and who scrutinized laughingly the interior of the rustic dwelling, Daréna saluted Chérubin as if he were an old acquaintance, and said: “My dear marquis, your notary, Monsieur d’Hurbain, is mine as well; your friend Monsieur de Monfréville is also a very intimate friend of mine; so you see that I too should be your friend--that is a title which I should deem myself fortunate to deserve. Shake hands, marquis--men like us understand each other instantly. You are young, but we will form you.” Chérubin was bewildered by all that he saw and heard; moreover, the Spaniard and the Neapolitan were already flashing glances at him of a sort to which he was not accustomed; while the Odalisk smiled at him in a most enticing fashion, and the Swiss constantly passed the tip of her tongue over her lips and winked at him. All this caused him a perturbation which he could not define. “Marquis Chérubin,” continued Daréna, “I have ventured to bring with me four fascinating ladies; they are artists, dancers of the greatest talent, connected with the Grand Opéra in Paris; they had a most eager desire to see you and to drink milk in the country.--Is it possible to obtain milk here, virtuous villager?” While Daréna put this question to Nicole, who ran off at once to the dairy, the little woman dressed as a Swiss jumped up and down on her chair, crying: “Yes! milk’s splendid! I’m going to drink it hard.” Daréna walked to where she sat and nudged her with his elbow, saying in her ear: “Be kind enough to keep quiet, Malvina, for you can’t say anything but nonsense.” And Monfréville, biting his lips to avoid laughing, whispered to Daréna: “You have the face to say that these women are from the Opéra!”