With their eyes fixed on the tablecloth, the four now sat shrinking and insignificant while Nana, in a transport of omnipotence, trampled on them in the old muddy boots worn long since in the Rue de la Goutte-d'Or.

She was determined not to lay down the cudgels just yet.

It was all very fine to bring her fortunes, to build her palaces; she would never leave off regretting the time when she munched apples! Oh, what bosh that stupid thing money was! It was made for the tradespeople! Finally her outburst ended in a sentimentally expressed desire for a simple, openhearted existence, to be passed in an atmosphere of universal benevolence.
When she got to this point she noticed Julien waiting idly by.
"Well, what's the matter?
Hand the champagne then!" she said.

"Why d'you stand staring at me like a goose ?" During this scene the servants had never once smiled.

They apparently heard nothing, and the more their mistress let herself down, the more majestic they became.