Of the names mentioned in her presence, the amusements, the entertainments, the books of which they talked to her, she knew nothing.

Claire did her best to help her, to keep her on the surface, with a friendly hand always outstretched; but many of these ladies thought Sidonie pretty; that was enough to make them bear her a grudge for seeking admission to their circle.

Others, proud of their husbands' standing and of their wealth, could not invent enough unspoken affronts and patronizing phrases to humiliate the little parvenue.
Sidonie included them all in a single phrase: "Claire's friends--that is to say, my enemies!" But she was seriously incensed against but one.
The two partners had no suspicion of what was taking place between their wives.

Risler, continually engrossed in his press, sometimes remained at his draughting-table until midnight.

Fromont passed his days abroad, lunched at his club, was almost never at the factory.