The mere idea of it gave him a shock, and he had to resign himself to the girl's stubborn caprice.

The only consolation he could think of was to secure Gerard's presence, for the young man, with some lingering sense of decorum, still obstinately refused to make one of the party.

So the Baron took his hands and detained him, repeating in urgent tones that he begged him to come as an essential mark of friendship.

And at last the wife's lover and daughter's suitor had to give way to the man who was the former's husband and the latter's father.
Silviane was immensely amused by it all, and, indiscreetly thee-ing and thou-ing Gerard, suggested that he at least owed the Baron some little compliance with his wishes.
Duvillard pretended not to hear her.

He was listening to Duthil, who told him that there was a sort of box in a corner of the Chamber of Horrors, in which one could in some measure conceal oneself.