Perfectly serene and tranquil Yvette smiled, saying with a decision which swept away hesitation on his part:
"Of course Muscade will come to dinner on Saturday. We have only to ask him, for he and I intend to commit a lot of follies in the country."
He thought he divined the birth of a promise in her smile, and in her voice he heard what he thought was invitation.
Then the Marquise turned her big, black eyes upon Saval: "And you will, of course, come, Baron?"
With a smile that forbade doubt, he bent toward her, saying, "I shall be only too charmed, Madame."
Then Yvette murmured with malice that was either naive or traitorous: "We will set all the world by the ears down there, won't we, Muscade, and make my regiment of admirers fairly mad." And with a look, she pointed out a group of men who were looking at them from a little distance.
Said Servigny to her: "As many follies as YOU may please, Mam'zelle."
In speaking to Yvette, Servigny never used the word "Mademoiselle," by reason of his close and long intimacy with her.
Then Saval asked: "Why does Mademoiselle always call my friend Servigny 'Muscade'?"
Yvette assumed a very frank air and said: