He had to learn at what house or theatre he could meet Madame de Vandenesse in the evening.

He was not able to leave the party or the play until long after midnight, having obtained nothing better than a few tender sentences, long awaited, said in a doorway, or hastily as he put her into her carriage.

It frequently happened that Marie, who by this time had launched him into the great world, procured for him invitations to dinner in certain houses where she went herself.

All this seemed the simplest life in the world to her.

Raoul moved by pride and led on by his passion never told her of his labors.