"I do not say that it will alter my determination.

But perhaps--yes, I should be glad of an opportunity of the honour of making Mademoiselle de La Vauvraye's acquaintance.

But no impersonations, I beg, madame!" He said it half-laughingly, taking his cue from her.
"You need have no fear of any." She walked to the door, opened it, and called "Gaston!" In answer came the page whom Garnache had found in the room when he was admitted.
"Desire Mademoiselle de La Vauvraye to come to us here at once," she bade the boy, and closed the door.
Garnache had been all eyes for some furtive sign, some whispered word; but he had surprised neither.
His pacing had brought him to the opposite end of the board, where stood the cup of wine madame had poured for Marius.

His own, Garnache, had left untouched.

As if abstractedly, he now took up the beaker, pledged madame with his glance, and drank.