The count had dined excellently at the prince's, who, indeed, was a heroic eater and drinker.

Both of them were even a little intoxicated, but they behaved very creditably.

To hide the commotion within him Muffat could only remark about the heat.
"Good heavens, how hot it is here!" he said.

"How do you manage to live in such a temperature, madame ?" And conversation was about to ensue on this topic when noisy voices were heard at the dressing-room door.

Bordenave drew back the slide over a grated peephole of the kind used in convents.