Meanwhile Nana had lost Satin. Her legs were failing her, and she would
have been taken up for a certainty had not a man caught her by the arm
and led her away in front of the angry police. It was Prulliere, and he
had just recognized her. Without saying a word he turned down the Rue
Rougemont with her. It was just then quite deserted, and she was able to
regain breath there, but at first her faintness and exhaustion were such
that he had to support her. She did not even thank him.
"Look here," he said, "you must recover a bit. Come up to my rooms."
He lodged in the Rue Bergere close by. But she straightened herself up
at once.
"No, I don't want to."
Thereupon he waxed coarse and rejoined:
"Why don't you want to, eh? Why, everybody visits my rooms."
"Because I don't."
In her opinion that explained everything. She was too fond of Fontan to
betray him with one of his friends. The other people ceased to count the
moment there was no pleasure in the business, and necessity compelled
her to it. In view of her idiotic obstinacy Prulliere, as became a
pretty fellow whose vanity had been wounded, did a cowardly thing.
"Very well, do as you like!" he cried. "Only I don't side with you, my
dear.
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