"Oh, don't apologize," cried Bordenave, "since these gentlemen approve
of your good looks!"
But she still tried the hesitating, innocent, girlish game, and,
shivering as though someone were tickling her, she continued:
"His Highness does me too great an honor. I beg His Highness will excuse
my receiving him thus--"
"It is I who am importunate," said the prince, "but, madame, I could not
resist the desire of complimenting you."
Thereupon, in order to reach her dressing table, she walked very quietly
and just as she was through the midst of the gentlemen, who made way for
her to pass.
She had strongly marked hips, which filled her drawers out roundly,
while with swelling bosom she still continued bowing and smiling her
delicate little smile. Suddenly she seemed to recognize Count Muffat,
and she extended her hand to him as an old friend. Then she scolded him
for not having come to her supper party. His Highness deigned to chaff
Muffat about this, and the latter stammered and thrilled again at the
thought that for one second he had held in his own feverish clasp a
little fresh and perfumed hand. The count had dined excellently at the
prince's, who, indeed, was a heroic eater and drinker.
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