Though much embarrassed at this, Nana did not
cease to smile. She took his hands and spoke very familiarly in order to
soften her refusal.
"Come now, darling, do be quiet! Honor bright, I can't: Steiner's
upstairs."
But he was beside himself. Never yet had she seen a man in such a state.
She grew frightened and put her hand over his mouth in order to stifle
his cries. Then in lowered tones she besought him to be quiet and to let
her alone. Steiner was coming downstairs. Things were getting stupid, to
be sure! When Steiner entered the room he heard Nana remarking:
"I adore the country."
She was lounging comfortably back in her deep easy chair, and she turned
round and interrupted herself.
"It's Monsieur le Comte Muffat, darling. He saw a light here while he
was strolling past, and he came in to bid us welcome."
The two men clasped hands. Muffat, with his face in shadow, stood silent
for a moment or two. Steiner seemed sulky. Then they chatted about
Paris: business there was at a standstill; abominable things had been
happening on 'change. When a quarter of an hour had elapsed Muffat took
his departure, and, as the young woman was seeing him to the door, he
tried without success to make an assignation for the following night.
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