However, the Baron and the Baroness evinced perfect serenity, having long been acquainted with all that concerned each other.

Moreover Eve was too much occupied with her own passion to think of anything else; and the Baron too busy with the fresh application which he intended to make in tempestuous fashion at the Ministry of Fine Arts, so as to wrest Silviane's engagement from those in office.

He contented himself with saying: "How would you have them revive pieces at the Comedie! They have no actresses left there." "Oh, by the way," the Baroness on her side simply remarked, "yesterday, in that play at the Vaudeville, Delphine Vignot wore such an exquisite gown.

She's the only one too who knows how to arrange her hair." Thereupon Duthil, in somewhat veiled language, began to relate a story about Delphine and a well-known senator.

And then came another scandal, the sudden and almost suspicious death of a lady friend of the Duvillards'; whereupon the General, without any transition, broke in to relieve his bitter feelings by denouncing the idiotic manner in which the army was nowadays organised.