The rumbling of one of these cabs suddenly ceased outside the house.

A few seconds later he heard the slight grating of a key in the lock, the slamming of the door, and light footsteps in the outer room.
The clock marked twenty-three minutes past one.

He was suddenly full of agitation, yet hopeful.

She had come! Who could tell what she would say?
She might offer the most natural explanation of her late arrival.
Felicie entered the room, her hair in disorder, her eyes shining, her cheeks white, her bruised lips a vivid red; she was tired, indifferent, mute, happy and lovely, seeming to guard beneath her cloak, which she held wrapped about her with both hands, some remnant of warmth and voluptuous pleasure.
"I was beginning to be worried," said her mother.

"Aren't you going to unfasten your cloak ?" "I'm hungry," she replied.