Whereupon there was a great nibbling of lips, and the pear was finished amid kisses.

At this there was a burst of comic protest from the gentlemen, Philippe shouting to them to take it easy and Vandeuvres asking if one ought to leave the room.

Georges, meanwhile, had come and put his arm round Satin's waist and had brought her back to her seat.
"How silly of you!" said Nana.

"You're making her blush, the poor, darling duck.

Never mind, dear girl, let them chaff.