CHAPTER XV

DRESS CIRCLE.--BOX NO. 29

Truth to say, the Marquise de Luceval had not her _sobieska_.

She was dressed with equal taste and simplicity. The only innovation which she had allowed herself consisted in a very high tortoiseshell comb, _à l'Espagnole_, which confined a half-veil of black blonde to her splendid chestnut tresses. The marquise was in mourning.

This _coiffure_, worn by the women of Andalusia, was charming, and gave additional attraction to the piquant physiognomy of Madame de Luceval. She was accompanied by her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, M. and Madame de Beaulieu.

"Alfred! look, I have won my wager," exclaimed the marquise gaily; and, addressing her brother, "Madame Girard has on my _sobieska_. My dear Alix, your _lorgnette_, I beg of you," she said to her sister-in-law.

"What wager, then, had you with Alfred?" inquired Madame de Beaulieu; "and who is Madame Girard?"

"Alix, I beg of you not to laugh too loud, and look exactly at the box in front of us--a female in a high bright orange-coloured gown."

Naturally Madame de Beaulieu was a great laugher, and the contracted features and the angry frown of Madame Girard, whose brows looked very gloomy beneath her _casquette à plumes_, gave her so burlesque an appearance, that the sister-in-law of Madame de Luceval could hardly restrain her mirth.

"No doubt this Girard, when she leaves the theatre, will be ready to represent Poland in a patriotic, fantastic, and allegorical ball," said M. de Beaulieu.

"But, my dear Emilie," remarked Madame de Beaulieu, repressing her desire to laugh, "what has your wager to do with that adorable head-dress?"

"Nothing sooner explained;" said Madame de Luceval; "I cannot have a _coiffure_ without being instantly imitated, or rather parodied, by this Madame Girard. This annoyed me so, that I betted with Alfred, that I would devise a head-dress the most ridiculous possible, which Mademoiselle Barenne should shew secretly to Madame Girard, as intended for me, and that Madame Girard should beg and pray of her to make her the fellow to it. I invented the _sobieska_, and Mademoiselle Barenne joined in the conspiracy. Now you see Madame Girard decorated with the _sobieska_. I have gained my wager, and my dear brother owes me an ornament of real flowers."

"Capitally managed, really; and as the piece has not begun," said M. de Beaulieu, "I will go and spread about this little malicious manoeuvre, in order to double the effect of Madame Girard's _sobieska_."

"But do you know," replied Madame de Luceval, "that there is a very lovely person in the box of that absurd Girard? Alfred, try and discover who she may be."

"Really," said Madame de Beaulieu, looking attentively at Bertha, "she is remarkably pretty, and dressed in such simple but good taste. What a contrast with the _sobieska_! I cannot understand why every body does not like simplicity, and consequently good taste. It is so convenient, and people are obliged to give themselves unending trouble to be ridiculous."

"Do you say that _à propos_ of M. de Gercourt and his comedy, my dear Alix?"

"Wicked woman!--One of your friends--one of your old adorers."

"It would have been so easy for him not to have written this play."

"But at least better wait and see in order to decide."

"By no means; for then I should speak with prejudice, whilst now my judgment is much more independent."

"Giddy pate that you are; and you encouraged M. de Gercourt in his attempt."

"It is such a pleasing office to have to console one's friends in their misfortune."

"You are something like those persons who, at the risk of drowning you, throw you in the water to have the pleasure of saving you."

"Your comparison is not just, my dear Alix; for I could not save the comedy of poor M. de Gercourt."

"Emilie, Emilie, take care," said Madame de Beaulieu, with a smile; "M. de Gercourt has long admired you. You will have us believe that you are a little spiteful, and----"

"Well, the truth to say, I am not quite pleased with him for giving up his attempts to please me so suddenly. His attention really amused me. A'n't I candid, my dear?"

"Oh! you incurable coquette! never to forgive the man whom even she rejects. What! must the poor victim remain and suffer?"

"Alas! M. de Gercourt will have his revenge this evening. I have not ordered my carriage until eleven o'clock."

This charitable conversation was interrupted by M. de Beaulieu and M. de Fierval.

"My dear Emilie," said M. de Beaulieu to his sister, "I bring you living information as to the lovely creature beside the _sobieska_."

"Do you know that charming creature, M. de Fierval?" inquired Madame de Luceval.

"I do not know her, madame; but I know her husband, M. de Brévannes."

"Brévannes?--Is he not the son of a man of business."

"Something of the kind; the father was a contractor--a dealer."

"And that young lady?"

"A poor girl without fortune; she lived by teaching the piano."

"Yet it is impossible to have a more _distingué_ air," said Madame de Luceval.

"She is so delightfully dressed!--It was then a love-match?"

"Decidedly; but they say Brévannes is very unfaithful."

"What! that fat man in spectacles?"

"No, my dear, that must be, I should say, the sobieski of the _sobieska_," said De Beaulieu to his sister.

"M. de Brévannes," added Fierval, "is a dark man, with a very expressive countenance. Madame de Girard's casquette hides him. Now----."

"What an unprepossessing physiognomy! I don't like the looks of the man."

"You are wrong, I assure you. De Brévannes is what is called a very good fellow, only his temper is of iron, inflexible. What he will he will."

At the noise of some chairs which were being moved in the next box, Madame de Luceval put her head forward, and recognised Madame de Lormoy, aunt of M. de Morville.

"Ah, madame, how fortunate to be so near you!" said Madame de Luceval. "Are you alone in your box? I shall pay you a visit."

"I am expecting Madame de Hansfeld; and, strange to say, her husband accompanies her," said Madame de Lormoy.

"Really?--How unlucky!--From here I cannot see this mysterious personage. Try and make him stay until it is over."

"If he had seen you, my dear Emilie, there would have been no occasion to ask him; but, unfortunately----"

Madame de Lormoy, hearing a noise, paused, turned her head, and said to Madame de Luceval, "Here he is!" The Prince and Princess de Hansfeld entered the box at that instant.