Do you observe that
young man seated near the bottom of the table, who is conversing with
Mademoiselle D'Emery?' 'Yes, I perceive whom you mean.' 'You
observe how little he has the air of a person of condition; I was
saying just now, that I should not have thought him a gentleman, if I
had not seen him at this table.' 'Well! but the report,' said Madame
Clairval, 'let me understand the subject of your distress.' 'Ah! the
subject of my distress,' replied Madame Cheron; 'this person, whom
nobody knows--(I beg pardon, madam, I did not consider what I said)--
this impertinent young man, having had the presumption to address my
niece, has, I fear, given rise to a report, that he had declared
himself my admirer. Now only consider how very mortifying such a
report must be! You, I know, will feel for my situation. A woman of
my condition!--think how degrading even the rumour of such an
alliance must be.'
'Degrading indeed, my poor friend!' said Madame Clairval. 'You may
rely upon it I will contradict the report wherever I go;' as she said
which, she turned her attention upon another part of the company; and
Cavigni, who had hitherto appeared a grave spectator of the scene,
now fearing he should be unable to smother the laugh, that convulsed
him, walked abruptly away.
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