Nevertheless, when his brother shortly began to present himself
every day, Georges ended by getting somewhat used to it all. Nana was
radiant.
This, her latest installation, had been involving all the riotous waste
attendant on the life of gallantry, and now her housewarming was being
defiantly celebrated in a grand mansion positively overflowing with
males and with furniture.
One afternoon when the Hugons were there Count Muffat arrived out of
hours. But when Zoe told him that Madame was with friends he refused
to come in and took his departure discreetly, as became a gallant
gentleman. When he made his appearance again in the evening Nana
received him with the frigid indignation of a grossly affronted woman.
"Sir," she said, "I have given you no cause why you should insult me.
You must understand this: when I am at home to visitors, I beg you to
make your appearance just like other people."
The count simply gaped in astonishment. "But, my dear--" he endeavored
to explain.
"Perhaps it was because I had visitors! Yes, there were men here, but
what d'you suppose I was doing with those men? You only advertise a
woman's affairs when you act the discreet lover, and I don't want to be
advertised; I don't!"
He obtained his pardon with difficulty, but at bottom he was enchanted.
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