Yet I could not see that I had any choice save to obey, and, following my leader with as much dignity as I could compass, I presently found myself bowing before the lady who sat nearest, and who seemed to be the leader of these nymphs.
'Nay, sir,' she said, eyeing me curiously, yet with a merry face, 'I do not need you; I do not look so high!' Turning in confusion to the next, I was surprised to see before me the lady whose lodging I had invaded in my search for Mademoiselle de la Vire--she, I mean, who, having picked up the velvet; knot, had dropped it so providentially where Simon Fleix found it.

She looked at me blushing and laughing, and the young gentleman, who had done her errand, presenting me by name, she asked me, while the others listened, whether I had found my mistress.
Before I could answer, the lady to whom I had first addressed myself interposed.

'Stop, sir!' she cried.

What is this--a tale, a jest, a game, or a forfeit ?' 'An adventure, madam,' I answered, bowing low.
'Of gallantry, I'll be bound,' she exclaimed.

'Fie, Madame de Bruhl, and you but six months married!' Madame de Bruhl protested, laughing, that she had no more to do with it than Mercury.