"You'd better lie down for a bit," he said. "Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you: your friend, the princess, is coming here this evening!"
"Isn't Urania angry?"
"No, I have told her everything and she knows about it all."
She was pleased to know that Urania was not angry and that she still had a friend left.
"And I have seen Mrs. Uxeley also."
"She must be angry with me, isn't she?"
He laughed:
"That old hag! No, not angry. She's in the dumps because she has no one with her. She set great store by you. She likes to have pretty people about her, she said. She can't stand an ugly companion, with no chic.... There, I'll leave you and go and sit downstairs somewhere."
They stood up. His eyes had a golden glimmer in them; his moustache was lifted by his ironic smile. And he caught her fiercely in his arms:
"Cornélie," he said, hoarsely, "I think it's wonderful to have you back again. Do you belong to me, tell me, do you belong to me?"