"Do you know," said Ellen Midi to Falempin, "that Nanteuil is going to join the Comédie-Française?"
"It's not possible!"
"The contract is signed."
"How did she manage it?"
"Not by her acting, you may be sure," replied Ellen, who proceeded to relate a highly scandalous story.
"Take care," said Falempin, "she is just behind you."
"Yes, I see her! She's got a cheek of her own to show herself here, don't you think?"
Marie-Claire whispered an extraordinary piece of news into Durville's ear:
"They say he committed suicide. Well, there's not a word of truth in it He didn't commit suicide at all. And the proof of it is that he is being buried with the rites of the Church."