She had sat at the window in vain; she had heard nothing, and was dying with curiosity.
"Well ?" she asked, rushing to meet her husband.
The latter, quite out of breath, entered the yellow drawing-room, whither she followed him, carefully closing the door behind her.

He sank into an arm-chair, and, in a gasping voice, faltered: "It's done; we shall get the receivership." At this she fell on his neck and kissed him.
"Really?
Really ?" she cried.

"But I haven't heard anything.

Oh, my darling husband, do tell me; tell me all!" She felt fifteen years old again, and began to coax him and whirl round him like a grasshopper fascinated by the light and heat.

And Pierre, in the effusion of his triumph, poured out his heart to her.