Up till today she had always treated him like a naughty urchin, never taking his declarations seriously and amusing herself at his expense as though he were a little man of no consequence whatever.
There was much ado to install him in the house.

She absolutely insisted on the fire being lit in her bedroom, as being the most comfortable place for his reception.

Georges had not surprised Zoe, who was used to all kinds of encounters, but the gardener, who brought the wood upstairs, was greatly nonplused at sight of this dripping gentleman to whom he was certain he had not opened the front door.

He was, however, dismissed, as he was no longer wanted.
A lamp lit up the room, and the fire burned with a great bright flame.
"He'll never get dry, and he'll catch cold," said Nana, seeing Georges beginning to shiver.
And there were no men's trousers in her house! She was on the point of calling the gardener back when an idea struck her.

Zoe, who was unpacking the trunks in the dressing room, brought her mistress a change of underwear, consisting of a shift and some petticoats with a dressing jacket.
"Oh, that's first rate!" cried the young woman.