The gossips exchanged
only a few words with her, and then, as Mathieu remained in his
armchair, the high back of which concealed him from view, Valerie rose
from her seat and followed Madame Bourdieu into the private room.

As soon as he was alone the young man let his newspaper fall upon his
knees, and lapsed into a reverie, haunted by all the chatter he had
heard, both there and in Norine's company, and shuddering at the thought
of the dreadful secrets that had been revealed to him. How long an
interval elapsed he could not tell, but at last he was suddenly roused
by a sound of voices.

Madame Bourdieu was now escorting Valerie to the door. She had the same
plump fresh face as usual, and even smiled in a motherly way; but the
other was quivering, as with distress and grief. "You are not sensible,
my dear child," said Madame Bourdieu to her. "It is simply foolish of
you. Come, go home and be good."

Then, Valerie having withdrawn without uttering a word, Madame Bourdieu
was greatly surprised to see Mathieu, who had risen from his chair. And
she suddenly became serious, displeased with herself at having spoken
in his presence. Fortunately, a diversion was created by the arrival
of Norine, who came in from the refectory; and Mathieu then promptly
settled his business and went off, after promising Norine that he would
return some day to see her.

To make up for lost time he was walking hastily towards the Rue La
Boetie, when, all at once, he came to a halt, for at the very corner of
that street he again perceived Valerie, now talking to a man, none other
than her husband. So Morange had come with her, and had waited for her
in the street while she interviewed Madame Bourdieu. And now they both
stood there consulting together, hesitating and evidently in distress.
It was plain to Mathieu that a terrible combat was going on within them.
They stamped about, moved hither and thither in a feverish way, then
halted once more to resume their conversation in a whisper. At one
moment the young man felt intensely relieved, for, turning into the Rue
La Boetie, they walked on slowly, as if downcast and resigned, in
the direction of Grenelle. But all at once they halted once more and
exchanged a few words; and then Mathieu's heart contracted as he saw
them retrace their steps along the Rue La Boetie and follow the Rue de
la Pepiniere as far as the Rue du Rocher. He readily divined whither
they were going, but some irresistible fo