Her husband thought it absurd; however, he might perhaps have never known the reason for this; a profound ignorance of women, a crass confidence in his own merit, and in his own fortune, might perhaps have always hidden the truth from him, if the two lovers had not, so to speak, compelled him to discover it.
When Paul Visire went to Eveline's house and found her alone, they used to say, as they embraced each other; "Not here! not here!" and immediately they affected an extreme reserve.

That was their invariable rule.

Now, one day, Paul Visire went to the house of his colleague Ceres, with whom he had an engagement.

It was Eveline who received him, the Minister of Commerce being delayed by a commission.
"Not here!" said the lovers, smiling.
They said it, mouth to mouth, embracing, and clasping each other.

They were still saying it, when Hippolyte Ceres entered the drawing-room.
Paul Visire did not lose his presence of mind.