'here is the chevalier valancourt, madam,' said she in a whisper, 'pray let us go.' her aunt immediately moved on, but not before valancourt had reached them, who bowed lowly to madame cheron, and with an earnest and dejected look to emily, with whom, notwithstanding all her effort, an air of more than common reserve prevailed.the presence of madame cheron prevented valancourt from remaining, and he passed on with a countenance, whose melancholy reproached her for having increased it.emily was called from the musing fit, into which she had fallen, by the count bauvillers, who was known to her aunt.
'i have your pardon to beg, ma'amselle,' said he, 'for a rudeness, which you will readily believe was quite unintentional.i did not know, that the chevalier was your acquaintance, when i so freely criticised his dancing.' emily blushed and smiled, and madame cheron spared her the difficulty of replying.'if you mean the person, who has just passed us,' said she, 'i can assure you he is no acquaintance of either mine, or ma'amselle st.aubert's: i know nothing of him.'
'o! that is the chevalier valancourt,' said cavigni carelessly, and looking back.'you know him then?' said madame cheron.'i am not acquainted with him,' replied cavigni.'you don't know, then, the reason i have to call him impertinent;--he has had the presumption to admire my niece!'
'if every man deserves the title of impertinent, who admires ma'amselle st.aubert,' replied cavigni, 'i fear there are a great many impertinents, and i am willing to acknowledge myself one of the number.'
'o signor!' said madame cheron, with an affected smile, 'i perceive you have learnt the art of complimenting, since you came into france.
but it is cruel to compliment children, since they mistake flattery for truth.'