Two little women, dressed for the third act, were chatting by the peephole in the curtain.

One of them, straining forward and widening the hole with her fingers in order the better to observe things, was scanning the house beyond.
"I see him," said she sharply.

"Oh, what a mug!" Horrified, Bordenave had much ado not to give her a kick.

But the prince smiled and looked pleased and excited by the remark.

He gazed warmly at the little woman who did not care a button for His Highness, and she, on her part, laughed unblushingly.