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Telimena could not understand what all this meant; shrugging her

shoulders, she thought, "He's showing off!" After all she was

rather glad of the Count's new courtship, and turned her

attention to her other neighbour.

Thaddeus, also gloomy, ate nothing and drank nothing; he seemed

to be listening to the conversation, and glued his eyes on his

plate. When Telimena poured him out wine, he was angry at her

importunity; when she asked about his health, he yawned. He took

it ill (so much had he changed in one evening) that Telimena was

too ready to flirt; he was vext that her gown was cut so

low-immodestly-and now for the first time, when he raised his

eyes, he was almost frightened! For his sight had quickened;

hardly had he glanced at Telimena's rosy face, when all at once

he discovered a great and terrible secret! For Heaven's sake, she

was rouged!