They were old friends, Bettina had treated them as such, and had declared to them, with perfect frankness, that they were losing their time.

However, they were not discouraged, and formed the centre of a little court which was always very eager and assiduous around Bettina.
Paul de Lavardens had made his appearance on this scene, and had very rapidly become everybody's friend.

He had received the brilliant and complicated education of a young man destined for pleasure.

As soon as it was a question only of amusement, riding, croquet, lawn-tennis, polo, dancing, charades, and theatricals, he was ready for everything.

He excelled in everything.