In Risler's eyes the tickets came from Madame Dobson; she had as many as she chose to the theatres where operas were given.

The poor wretch had no suspicion that one of those boxes for an important "first night" had often cost his partner ten or fifteen Louis.
In the evening, when his wife went away, always splendidly attired, he would gaze admiringly at her, having no suspicion of the cost of her costumes, certainly none of the man who paid for them, and would await her return at his table by the fire, busy with his drawings, free from care, and happy to be able to say to himself, "What a good time she is having!" On the floor below, at the Fromonts', the same comedy was being played, but with a transposition of parts.

There it was the young wife who sat by the fire.

Every evening, half an hour after Sidonie's departure, the great gate swung open to give passage to the Fromont coupe conveying Monsieur to his club.

What would you have?
Business has its demands.