This was not the opinion of Silviane, who from the first lines regarded Pauline as the ideal heroine of some symbolical legend.

However, as the critic talked on and on, she had to feign approval; and he was delighted at finding her so beautiful and docile beneath his ferule.

At last, as ten o'clock was striking, he rose and tore out of the hot and reeking room in order to do his work.
"Ah! my dears," cried Silviane, "he's a nice bore is that critic of yours! What a fool he is with his idea of Pauline being a little _bourgeoise_! I would have given him a fine dressing if it weren't for the fact that I have some need of him.

Ah! no, it's too idiotic! Pour me out a glass of champagne.

I want something to set me right after all that!" The _fete_ then took quite an intimate turn between the four men who remained and that bare-armed, bare-breasted girl, covered with diamonds; while from the neighbouring passages and rooms came bursts of laughter and sounds of kissing, all the stir and mirth of the debauchery now filling the house.