"Bring the tea in," said M. Mauperin to a servant who had entered in answer to his peal at the bell.
IV
"A quarter past ten already!" said Mme. Davarande. "We shall only just have time to get to the station. Renée, tell them to bring me my hat."
Every one rose. Barousse woke up from his nap with the noise, and the little band of guests from Paris set out for Saint-Denis.
"I'll come with you," said Denoisel. "I should like a breath of air."
Barousse was in front, arm-in-arm with Reverchon. The Davarandes followed, and Henri Mauperin and Denoisel brought up the rear.
"Why don't you stay all night? You could go back to Paris to-morrow," Denoisel began.
"No," answered Henri, "I won't do that. I have some work to do to-morrow morning. I should get to Paris late and my day would be wasted."
They were silent, and every now and then a few words from Barousse to Reverchon in praise of Renée came to them through the silence of the night.