"But I think nothing of the thighs, you know.

Will you bet she has no thighs ?" He stopped, for Fauchery touched him briskly on the arm and showed him Estelle, sitting close to them on her footstool.

They had raised their voices without noticing her, and she must have overheard them.
Nevertheless, she continued sitting there stiff and motionless, not a hair having lifted on her thin neck, which was that of a girl who has shot up all too quickly.

Thereupon they retired three or four paces, and Vandeuvres vowed that the countess was a very honest woman.

Just then voices were raised in front of the hearth.