In the drawing room upstairs Zoe, who was polishing the bronzes, stood dumfounded at sight of him, and not knowing how to stop him, she began with much circumlocution, informing him that M.Venot, looking utterly beside himself, had been searching for him since yesterday and that he had already come twice to beg her to send Monsieur to his house if Monsieur arrived at Madame's before going home.

Muffat listened to her without in the least understanding the meaning of her recital; then he noticed her agitation and was seized by a sudden fit of jealousy of which he no longer believed himself capable.
He threw himself against the bedroom door, for he heard the sound of laughter within.

The door gave; its two flaps flew asunder, while Zoe withdrew, shrugging her shoulders.

So much the worse for Madame! As Madame was bidding good-by to her wits, she might arrange matters for herself.
And on the threshold Muffat uttered a cry at the sight that was presented to his view.
"My God! My God!" The renovated bedroom was resplendent in all its royal luxury.

Silver buttons gleamed like bright stars on the tea-rose velvet of the hangings.