Perhaps Louiset was passing through another crisis! She talked of returning to the Batignolles.
But when he offered to accompany her she did not insist on going.

For a second or two she was possessed with the kind of white-hot fury which a woman experiences when she feels herself entrapped and must, nevertheless, behave prettily.

But in the end she grew resigned and determined to gain time.

If only she could get rid of the count toward midnight everything would happen as she wished.
"Yes, it's true; you're a bachelor tonight," she murmured.

"Your wife doesn't return till tomorrow, eh ?" "Yes," replied Muffat.