We will see if they can embark within three hours.

Monsieur de Laval, you will wait here until we start for Pont de Briques.' So with a crisp order to each of us, he walked with little swift steps across the room, and I saw his square green back and white legs framed for an instant in the doorway.

There was the flutter of a pink skirt beyond, and then the curtains closed behind him.
Berthier stood biting his nails, while Talleyrand looked at him with a slight raising of his bushy eyebrows.

De Meneval with a rueful face was turning over the great bundle of papers which had to be copied by morning.

Constant, with a noiseless tread, was lighting the candles upon the sconces round the room.
'Which is it ?' I heard the minister whisper.
'The girl from the Imperial Opera,' said Berthier.
'Is the little Spanish lady out of favour then ?' 'No, I think not.