The two men were waiting for the girls when they got to the stage door. Claire didn't recognize the young man with Michel. He looked to be about the same age as Michel, but not quite as tall. His light brown hair was cut short and combed back away from his face, and he had a neatly-trimmed mustache and goatee. Both men bowed slightly as the girls approached them.

"Good evening, ladies," Michel said broadly. "I would like to introduce to you Andre Giry, our new cellist. Andre, this is Mademoiselle Sophie Leblanc and Mademoiselle Claire Robillard."

"How do you do, Mademoiselle Leblanc," Andre said to Sophie. "Michel has told me a great deal about you."

Sophie blushed and smiled. "I am pleased to meet you, monsieur," she replied.

Andre turned to Claire. "Ah, Mademoiselle Robillard," he said smiling. "You danced the featured role in the ballet this evening." His dark eyes seemed to dance as he looked at her.

Now it was Claire's turn to blush. "Yes…yes…that was me," she stammered.

He grinned mischievously. "You nearly cost me my job, mademoiselle," he joked.

"Monsieur?" she said, puzzled.

"Well, I was so entranced by your gracefulness that I nearly missed my entrance!" He and Michel laughed heartily. "When I found out that Michel here was attached to your dear friend Mademoiselle Leblanc, I begged him to introduce me to you."

Claire was unaccustomed to having such a fuss made over her, and it embarrassed her terribly. Sophie sensed her friend's discomfort. "Are we going to supper or not?" she said. "Mademoiselle Gaudet will have our heads if we aren't in by ten o'clock."

Michel held out his arm to Sophie. "Yes, yes," he said chuckling. "We mustn't upset the old hag!" Sophie smacked him playfully on his outstretched elbow before slipping her hand into the crook.

"Mademoiselle Robillard?" Andre offered his arm to Claire, and the four of them walked the two blocks to the café.