He told her that he had lost a fabulous sum of money at the club yesterday and thereupon had come away with the intention of ending up in the country.
"'Pon my word, yes, if only you can find me an heiress in these rustic parts! There must be delightful women hereabouts." The old lady rendered equal thanks to Daguenet and Fauchery for having been so good as to accept her son's invitation, and then to her great and joyful surprise she saw the Marquis de Chouard enter the room.

A third carriage had brought him.
"Dear me, you've made this your trysting place today!" she cried.
"You've passed word round! But what's happening?
For years I've never succeeded in bringing you all together, and now you all drop in at once.
Oh, I certainly don't complain." Another place was laid.

Fauchery found himself next the Countess Sabine, whose liveliness and gaiety surprised him when he remembered her drooping, languid state in the austere Rue Miromesnil drawing room.
Daguenet, on the other hand, who was seated on Estelle's left, seemed slightly put out by his propinquity to that tall, silent girl.

The angularity of her elbows was disagreeable to him.

Muffat and Chouard had exchanged a sly glance while Vandeuvres continued joking about his coming marriage.
"Talking of ladies," Mme Hugon ended by saying, "I have a new neighbor whom you probably know." And she mentioned Nana.