"Shall we not see your husband?" asked Mme. Mauperin, turning to Mme. Davarande.
"Oh, he's never here on my day—my husband—thank goodness!" Mme. Davarande looked round as she heard some one coming in by the door behind her chair. It was M. Barousse, followed by the young man who had been with him at the auction-room.
"Ah, we meet again," he said to Mme. Mauperin, as he put down on a chair the little portfolio which never left him.
Renée smiled and the chattering began again.
"Have you read that novel—that novel?"
"The one in the Constitutional?"
"No."
"By—I can't think of the name. It's called—wait a minute."
"Every one's talking about it."
"Do read it."