Where had he been all this time?
Why, it was done everywhere! And she mentioned her friends and swore that fashionable ladies went in for it.

In fact, to hear her speak, nothing could be commoner or more natural.

But a lie was a lie, and so a moment ago he had seen how angry she grew in the matter of Vandeuvres and the young Hugons! Oh, if that had been true he would have been justified in throttling her! But what was the good of lying to him about a matter of no consequence?
And with that she repeated her previous expression: "Come now, how can it hurt you ?" Then as the scene still continued, she closed it with a rough speech: "Besides, dear boy, if the thing doesn't suit you it's very simple: the house door's open! There now, you must take me as you find me!" He hung his head, for the young woman's vows of fidelity made him happy at bottom.

She, however, now knew her power over him and ceased to consider his feelings.

And from that time forth Satin was openly installed in the house on the same footing as the gentlemen.