Every few minutes he itched with the desire to interrupt, but he restrained himself.

He heard a whispering in the dark and empty house behind him.
"Is she there ?" he asked, leaning over toward Bordenave.
The latter nodded affirmatively.

Before accepting the part of Geraldine, which he was offering her, Nana had been anxious to see the piece, for she hesitated to play a courtesan's part a second time.

She, in fact, aspired to an honest woman's part.

Accordingly she was hiding in the shadows of a corner box in company with Labordette, who was managing matters for her with Bordenave.