She wanted to know what the third act was like.
"Oh, it's superb, the third act is! The duchess plays the courtesan in her own house and this disgusts Beaurivage and makes him amend his way.
Then there's an awfully funny QUID PRO QUO, when Tardiveau arrives and is under the impression that he's at an opera dancer's house." "And what does Geraldine do in it all ?" interrupted Nana.
"Geraldine ?" repeated Bordenave in some embarrassment.

"She has a scene--not a very long one, but a great success.

It's made for you, I assure you! Will you sign ?" She looked steadily at him and at length made answer: "We'll see about that all in good time." And she rejoined Labordette, who was waiting for her on the stairs.
Everybody in the theater had recognized her, and there was now much whispering, especially between Prulliere, who was scandalized at her return, and Clarisse who was very desirous of the part.

As to Fontan, he looked coldly on, pretending unconcern, for he did not think it becoming to round on a woman he had loved.

Deep down in his heart, though, his old love had turned to hate, and he nursed the fiercest rancor against her in return for the constant devotion, the personal beauty, the life in common, of which his perverse and monstrous tastes had made him tire.
In the meantime, when Labordette reappeared and went up to the count, Rose Mignon, whose suspicions Nana's presence had excited, understood it all forthwith.