If I'd taken him at his word I shouldn't have waited to take off my paint and my wig." The young man, who now saw Nana for the first time, bowed, paid her a compliment and spoke of his cousin, hiding his agitation behind an exaggeration of politeness.

But Nana, neither listening to him nor recognizing his face, shook hands with him and then went briskly toward Rose Mignon, with whom she at once assumed a most distinguished manner.
"Ah, how nice of you, my dear madame! I was so anxious to have you here!" "It's I who am charmed, I assure you," said Rose with equal amiability.
"Pray, sit down.

Do you require anything ?" "Thank you, no! Ah yes, I've left my fan in my pelisse, Steiner; just look in the right-hand pocket." Steiner and Mignon had come in behind Rose.

The banker turned back and reappeared with the fan while Mignon embraced Nana fraternally and forced Rose to do so also.

Did they not all belong to the same family in the theatrical world?
Then he winked as though to encourage Steiner, but the latter was disconcerted by Rose's clear gaze and contented himself by kissing Nana's hand.
Just then the Count de Vandeuvres made his appearance with Blanche de Sivry.