des Laumes (the last word being common, it appeared, to Gallardon and
Guermantes). And then, seeing that M. de Froberville was still gazing at
Mme. de Cambremer, she added, half out of malice towards the lady, half
wishing to oblige the General: "Not very nice... for her husband! I am
sorry that I do not know her, since she seems to attract you so much; I
might have introduced you to her," said the Princess, who, if she had
known the young woman, would most probably have done nothing of the sort.
"And now I must say good night, because one of my friends is having a
birthday party, and I must go and wish her many happy returns," she
explained, modestly and with truth, reducing the fashionable gathering to
which she was going to the simple proportions of a ceremony which would be
boring in the extreme, but at which she was obliged to be present, and
there would be something touching about her appearance. "Besides, I must
pick up Basin. While I've been here, he's gone to see those friends of
his--you know them too, I'm sure,--who are called after a bridge--oh, yes,
the Ienas."
"It was a battle before it was a bridge, Princess; it was a victory!" said
the General.
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