But what was his surprise when he found the Marquis de Chouard snugly enscounced on a chair between the two dressing tables! The marquis had withdrawn thither some time ago.

He was spreading his feet apart because a pail was leaking and letting a whitish flood spread over the floor.

He was visibly much at his ease, as became a man who knew all the snug corners, and had grown quite merry in the close dressing room, where people might have been bathing, and amid those quietly immodest feminine surroundings which the uncleanness of the little place rendered at once natural and poignant.
"D'you go with the old boy ?" Simonne asked Clarisse in a whisper.
"Rather!" replied the latter aloud.
The dresser, a very ugly and extremely familiar young girl, who was helping Simonne into her coat, positively writhed with laughter.

The three pushed each other and babbled little phrases which redoubled their merriment.
"Come, Clarisse, kiss the gentleman," said Fauchery.

"You know, he's got the rhino." And turning to the count: "You'll see, she's very nice! She's going to kiss you!" But Clarisse was disgusted by the men.