"
A moment later de Sigognac knocked at the door, and came in to greet
Zerbine, and courteously express his pleasure at her return. She rose
as he approached, and making a very low curtsey, said, "This is for
the Baron de Sigognac; and this is for my comrade, Captain Fracasse;"
kissing him on both cheeks--which unexpected and unprecedented
proceeding put poor de Sigognac completely out of countenance; partly
because he was not used to such little theatrical liberties, but more,
because he was ashamed to have such a thing happen in the presence of
his pure and peerless Isabelle.
And now we will return to Orestes and Pylades, who, after their eventful
promenade in the garden, were cosily dining together. The former, that
is to say the young Duke of Vallombreuse, had scarcely eaten any dinner,
and had even neglected his glass of wine, so preoccupied was he with
thoughts of his lovely unknown. The Chevalier de Vidalinc, his friend
and confidant, tried in vain to draw him into conversation; he replied
only by monosyllables, or not at all, to the other's brilliant sallies.
When the dessert had been put upon the table, and the servants had
retired and left them alone, the chevalier said to the duke: "I am
entirely at your service in this new affair, of course, ready to help
you bag your bird in any way you please; shall I go and send out the
beaters to drive it towards your nets?"
"No, indeed, you will do nothing of the kind; I shall go myself, for
there is nothing I enjoy so much as the pursuit of game, of whatever
sort it may be.
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