Shesweptahandfulofdelicatecambricandsilkfromoffachair，makingroomfordeBatz\'portlyfigure。Thenshesatuponthesofa，andwithaninvitinggestureandacallfromtheeyesshebadeArmandsitdownnexttoher。Sheleanedbackagainstthecushions，andthetablebeingcloseby，shestretchedoutahandandoncemoretookupthebunchofnarcissi，andwhileshetalkedtoArmandsheheldthesnow-whitebloomsquiteclosetoherface——soclose，infact，thathecouldnotseehermouthandchin，onlyherdarkeyesshoneacrossathimovertheheadsoftheblossoms。
“TellmeallaboutEngland，“shereiterated，settlingherselfdownamongthecushionslikeaspoiltchildwhoisabouttolistentoanoft-toldfavouritestory。
ArmandwasvexedthatdeBatzwassittingthere。HefelthecouldhavetoldthisdaintylittleladyquiteagooddealaboutEnglandifonlyhispompous，fatfriendwouldhavehadthegoodsensetogoaway。
Asitwas，hefeltunusuallytimidandgauche，notquiteknowingwhattosay，afactwhichseemedtoamuseMlle。Langenotalittle。
“IamveryfondofEngland，“hesaidlamely；“mysisterismarriedtoanEnglishman，andImyselfhavetakenupmypermanentresidencethere。“