"You understand, every Friday." Now it is dark.

The two great lamps in the salon are lighted.

In the adjoining room they hear the servant laying the table.

It is all over.
Madame Fromont Jeune will not come.
Sidonie is pale with rage.
"Just fancy, that minx can't come up eighteen steps! No doubt Madame thinks we're not grand enough for her.

Ah! but I'll have my revenge." As she pours forth her wrath in unjust words, her voice becomes coarse, takes on the intonations of the faubourg, an accent of the common people which betrays the ex-apprentice of Mademoiselle Le Mire.
Risler is unlucky enough to make a remark.
"Who knows?
Perhaps the child is ill." She turns upon him in a fury, as if she would like to bite him.
"Will you hold your tongue about that brat?
After all, it's your fault that this has happened to me.