Bertin, as a matter of discretion, followed his example. The two men passed through both drawing-rooms together, followed by the Countess, who talked to the painter all the while. She detained him at the threshold of the ante-chamber to make some trifling explanation, while Musadieu, assisted by a footman, put on his topcoat. As Madame de Guilleroy continued to talk to Bertin, the Inspector of Fine Arts, having waited some seconds before the front door, held open by another servant, decided to depart himself rather than stand there facing the footman any longer.
The door was closed softly behind him, and the Countess said to the artist in a perfectly easy tone:
“Why do you go so soon? It is not yet midnight. Stay a little longer.”
They reentered the smaller drawing-room together and seated themselves.
“My God! how that animal set my teeth on edge!” said Bertin.
“Why, pray?”
“He took you away from me a little.”
“Oh, not very much.”
“Perhaps not, but he irritated me.”
“Are you jealous?”