She, in a second, has the self-assurance of a person in her own home, or visiting in a drawing-room.

No awkwardness, pretty gestures, a few words, and eyes which supply everything! She isn't very agreeable," he thought, reminded of the curt tone she had used when disengaging herself, "and yet she has her tender spots," he continued dreamily, remembering not so much her words as certain inflections of her voice and a certain bewildered look in her eyes.

"I must go about it prudently that night," he concluded, addressing his cat, which, never having seen a woman before, had fled at the arrival of Mme.

Chantelouve and taken refuge under the bed, but had now advanced almost grovelling, to sniff the chair where she had sat.
"Come to think of it, she is an old hand, Mme.

Hyacinthe! She would not have a meeting in a cafe nor in the street.