The lady inspired her with a naive curiosity and an admiration mingled with fear.

Since her lover was unwilling to speak to her of his mother, she attributed his reserve to a certain aristocratic arrogance, even to a lack of consideration, for her, at which the pride of the freewoman and the plebeian was up in arms.

She was wont to say to him tartly: "I'm perfectly free to speak of your mother." The first time she had added: "Mine is just as good as yours." But she had realized that the remark was vulgar, and she had not repeated it.
The dining-room was now empty.

She looked at her watch, and saw that it was three o'clock.
"I must be off," she said.

"_La Grille_ is being rehearsed this afternoon.