"Word for word and with the most perfect politeness."

"And Madame de Mauves--what did she say?"

Madame Clairin smiled again. "To such a speech as that a woman says--
nothing. She had been sitting with a piece of needlework, and I think
she hadn't seen Richard since their quarrel the day before. He came in
with the gravity of an ambassador, and I'm sure that when he made his
demande en mariage his manner wasn't more respectful. He only wanted
white gloves!" said Longmore's friend. "My belle-soeur sat silent a few
moments, drawing her stitches, and then without a word, without a
glance, walked out of the room. It was just what she SHOULD have done!"

"Yes," the young man repeated, "it was just what she should have done."

"And I, left alone with my brother, do you know what I said?"

Longmore shook his head.

"Mauvals sujet!" he suggested.

"'You've done me the honour,' I said, 'to take this step in my presence.
I don't pretend to qualify it. You know what you're about, and it's your
own affair. But you may confide in my discretion.' Do you think he has
had reason to complain of it?" She received no answer; her visitor had
slowly averted himself; he passed his gloves mechanically round the band
of his hat. "I hope," she cried, "you're not going to start for
Brussels!"

Plainly he was much disturbed, and Madame Clairin might congratulate