leasantry. He told her that he
had lost a fabulous sum of money at the club yesterday and thereupon had
come away with the intention of ending up in the country.

"'Pon my word, yes, if only you can find me an heiress in these rustic
parts! There must be delightful women hereabouts."

The old lady rendered equal thanks to Daguenet and Fauchery for having
been so good as to accept her son's invitation, and then to her great
and joyful surprise she saw the Marquis de Chouard enter the room. A
third carriage had brought him.

"Dear me, you've made this your trysting place today!" she cried.
"You've passed word round! But what's happening? For years I've never
succeeded in bringing you all together, and now you all drop in at once.
Oh, I certainly don't complain."

Another place was laid. Fauchery found himself next the Countess
Sabine, whose liveliness and gaiety surprised him when he remembered
her drooping, languid state in the austere Rue Miromesnil drawing room.
Daguenet, on the other hand, who was seated on Estelle's left, seemed
slightly put out by his propinquity to that tall, silent girl. The
angularity of her elbows was disagreeable to him. Muffat and Chouard
had exchanged a sly glance while Vandeuvres continued joking about his
coming marriage.

"Talking of ladies," Mme Hugon ended by saying, "I have a new neighbor
whom you probably know."

And she mentioned Nana. Vandeuvres affected the liveliest astonishment.

"Well, that is strange! Nana's property near here!"

Fauchery and Daguenet indulged in a similar demonstration while the
Marquis de Chouard discussed the breast of a chicken without appearing
to comprehend their meaning. Not one of the men had smiled.

"Certainly," continued the old lady, "and the person in question arrived
at La Mignotte yesterday evening, as I was saying she would. I got my
information from the gardener this morning."

At these words the gentlemen could not conceal their very real surprise.
They all looked up. Eh? What? Nana had come down! But they were only
expecting her next day; they were privately under the impression that
they would arrive before her! Georges alone sat looking at his glass
with drooped eyelids and a tired expression. Ever since the beginning of
lunch he had seemed to be sleeping with open eyes and a vague smile on
his lips.

"Are you still in pain, my Zizi?" asked his mother, who had been gazing
at him throughout the meal.

He started and blushed as