Madame Destival allowed Madame de la Thomassinière to go upstairs first, continuing to lavish compliments upon her, and counterfeiting the most extravagant delight in order to conceal her secret annoyance; for the new arrival was genuinely pretty, her manners were charmingly vivacious, and Monsieur Dalville, whom Madame Destival was still expecting to see, had never met her. Monsieur Dalville, who was so quick to take fire, was very likely to make love to Madame de la Thomassinière, who was no less likely to listen to him. All this caused Madame Destival much secret anger; but she affected the greater amiability on that account; for in society one must know how to make believe, to speak otherwise than one thinks; that is the great secret of social success. Madame de la Thomassinière entered the salon, where Monsieur Monin had remained; he was on the point of attempting the introduction of another pinch of snuff, but checked himself at sight of the young woman, stepped back, removed his hat, and although he had never seen her before, began his inevitable question: "How's your health?" But the petite-maîtresse did not give the ex-druggist an opportunity to speak; she stifled with her handkerchief the outburst of laughter inspired by Monsieur Monin's unique countenance, and turned to Madame Destival, saying: "Who is this?" "A neighbor of ours, very rich, but as stupid as he is ridiculous." "Ah! so much the better; we will have some sport with him. We may as well laugh a bit. Do you expect anybody else?" "Why, yes, we expect a young man, a great friend of Monsieur Destival--Monsieur Auguste Dalville. Do you know him?" "No, but I've heard a great deal about him; he is noted in society for his _bonnes fortunes_ and his conquests. I shall be very glad to make his acquaintance. As a general rule, these naughty fellows are very agreeable--don't you think so, my dear?" "Why, sometimes--not always. However, you shall judge for yourself." "They say he's very good-looking?" "Oh! so-so; a passable face, that's all; rather fine eyes, but his mouth is a little too large and his lips are very thick. I don't like that type of face at all." "For my part, I don't like thin lips. Is he light or dark?" "I can hardly remember; he is dark, I think." "I had an idea that I had heard that Monsieur Dalville came to your house very often?" "Oh, no! he goes to my husband's office, on business." "Is he musical?" "A little." "I have brought a nocturne that I am crazy over; he must sing it with me." "Monsieur Dalville will certainly be delighted to sing with you.--Excuse me, my dear, but I have some orders to give. In the country we don't stand on ceremony." "I should hope not! I will go out and see your garden." "Do; I am going to order luncheon, and I will come and call you."