uld not conceal a faint smile, while a frown
made the count look more grave than before. Nana detained them some
seconds so as to give Zoe time to find yet another corner for the
newcomers. She did not relish meetings at her house. Only this time the
whole place must be packed! She was therefore much relieved when she saw
the drawing room empty and asked herself whether Zoe had really stuffed
them into the cupboards.

"Au revoir, gentlemen," she said, pausing on the threshold of the
drawing room.

It was as though she lapped them in her laughing smile and clear,
unclouded glance. The Count Muffat bowed slightly. Despite his great
social experience he felt that he had lost his equilibrium. He needed
air; he was overcome with the dizzy feeling engendered in that dressing
room with a scent of flowers, with a feminine essence which choked him.
And behind his back, the Marquis de Chouard, who was sure that he could
not be seen, made so bold as to wink at Nana, his whole face suddenly
altering its expression as he did so, and his tongue nigh lolling from
his mouth.

When the young woman re-entered the little room, where Zoe was awaiting
her with letters and visiting cards, she cried out, laughing more
heartily than ever:

"There are a pair of beggars for you! Why, they've got away with my
fifty francs!"

She wasn't vexed. It struck her as a joke that MEN should have got money
out of her. All the same, they were swine, for she hadn't a sou left.
But at sight of the cards and the letters her bad temper returned. As to
the letters, why, she said "pass" to them. They were from fellows who,
after applauding her last night, were now making their declarations. And
as to the callers, they might go about their business!

Zoe had stowed them all over the place, and she called attention to
the great capabilities of the flat, every room in which opened on the
corridor. That wasn't the case at Mme Blanche's, where people had all
to go through the drawing room. Oh yes, Mme Blanche had had plenty of
bothers over it!

"You will send them all away," continued Nana in pursuance of her idea.
"Begin with the nigger."

"Oh, as to him, madame, I gave him his marching orders a while ago,"
said Zoe with a grin. "He only wanted to tell Madame that he couldn't
come to-night."

There was vast joy at this announcement, and Nana clapped her hands. He
wasn't coming, what good luck! She would be free then! And she emitted
sighs of relief, as t