Only Vandeuvres, who had stayed somewhat apart from the rest of the company, winked imperceptibly at Lucy, who smiled at him as she passed.
"Be careful!" M.Venot had whispered as he stood behind Count Muffat.
The latter in extreme agitation gazed after this illusive vision of Nana while his wife turned slowly round and scrutinized him.

Then he cast his eyes on the ground as though to escape the sound of galloping hoofs which were sweeping away both his senses and his heart.

He could have cried aloud in his agony, for, seeing Georges among Nana's skirts, he understood it all now.

A mere child! He was brokenhearted at the thought that she should have preferred a mere child to him! Steiner was his equal, but that child! Mme Hugon, in the meantime, had not at once recognized Georges.

Crossing the bridge, he was fain to jump into the river, but Nana's knees restrained him.