She preened with pleasure when she saw Ferrol walking up and down in very confidential conversation with Christine.

If she had been really observant she would have seen that Ferrol's tendency was towards an appearance of confidential friendliness with almost everybody.
Great ideas had entered Madame's head, but they were vaguely defining themselves in Christine's mind also.

Where might not this friendship with Ferrol lead her?
Something occurred in the midst of the dancing which gave a new turn to affairs.

In one of the pauses a song came monotonously lilting down the street; yet it was not a song, it was only a sort of humming or chanting.

Immediately there was a clapping of hands, a flutter of female voices, and delighted exclamations of children.
"Oh, it's a dancing bear, it's a dancing bear!" they cried.
"Is it Pito ?" asked one.
"Is it Adrienne ?" cried another.
"But no; I'll bet it's Victor!" exclaimed a third.