His Royal Highness, so 'twas said, had just stepped out of his barge.

The noise of laughter and chatter was incessant, like unto a crowd of gaily-plumaged birds.

Huge bunches of apricot-coloured roses in silver vases made the air heavy with their subtle perfume.

Fans began to flutter.

The string band struck the preliminary cords of the gavotte.
At that moment the lacqueys at the foot of the stairs called out in stentorian tones: "Mademoiselle Desiree Candeille! and Monsieur Chauvelin!" Marguerite's heart gave a slight flutter; she felt a sudden tightening of the throat.