scene. Nana, they thought, must have been chattering.

"The count hasn't noticed him," muttered Georges. "Look out! He's

turning round; there, it's done!"

The band had again taken up the waltz in the Blonde Venus. Fauchery

had begun by bowing to the countess, who was still smiling in

ecstatic serenity. After which he had stood motionless a moment,

waiting very calmly behind the count's back. That evening the

count's deportment was one of lofty gravity: he held his head high,