The evening, in fact, was drawing to a close.
"Are you serious ?" asked Vandeuvres, who thought a joke was intended.
"Extremely serious.

If I don't execute my commission she'll tear my eyes out.

It's a case of landing her fish, you know." "Well then, I'll help you, dear boy." Eleven o'clock struck.

Assisted by her daughter, the countess was pouring out the tea, and as hardly any guests save intimate friends had come, the cups and the platefuls of little cakes were being circulated without ceremony.

Even the ladies did not leave their armchairs in front of the fire and sat sipping their tea and nibbling cakes which they held between their finger tips.