The half-hour sounded.

Something must decidedly have happened to Madame.

And they began whispering to each other.
Suddenly Mme Maloir forgot herself and in a ringing voice announced: "I've the five hundred! Trumps, Major Quint!" "Oh, do be quiet!" said Zoe angrily.

"What will all those gentlemen think ?" And in the silence which ensued and amid the whispered muttering of the two old women at strife over their game, the sound of rapid footsteps ascended from the back stairs.

It was Nana at last.