By way of proof, he cited many interminable _liaisons_, such as that of Donna Serafina and Morano which, in time became virtual marriages; and he sneered at such a lack of fancy, such an excess of fidelity whose only ending, when it did end, was some very disagreeable unpleasantness.
At this, Lisbeth interrupted him.

"But what is the matter with you this evening, my dear ?" she asked with a laugh.

"What you speak of is on the contrary very nice and pretty! When a man and a woman love one another they ought to do so for ever!" She looked delightful as she spoke, with her fine wavy blonde hair and delicate fair complexion; and Narcisse with a languorous expression in his half-closed eyes compared her to a Botticelli which he had seen at Florence.

However, the night was now far advanced, and Pierre had once more sunk into gloomy thoughtfulness when he heard a passing lady remark that they had already begun to dance the Cotillon in the gallery; and thereupon he suddenly remembered that Monsignor Nani had given him an appointment in the little Saloon of the Mirrors.
"Are you leaving ?" hastily inquired Prada on seeing him rise and bow to Lisbeth.
"No, no, not yet," Pierre answered.
"Oh! all right.

Don't go away without me.