Chapter II

by Emile Zola

　　At ten o'clock the next morning Nana was still asleep. She occupiedthe second floor of a large new house in the Boulevard Haussmann,the landlord of which let flats to single ladies in order by theirmeans to dry the paint. A rich merchant from Moscow, who had cometo pass a winter in Paris, had installed her there after paying sixmonths' rent in advance. The rooms were too big for her and hadnever been completely furnished. The vulgar sumptuosity of gildedconsoles and gilded chairs formed a crude contrast therein to thebric-a-brac of a secondhand furniture shop--to mahogany roundtables, that is to say, and zinc candelabras, which sought toimitate Florentine bronze. All of which smacked of the courtesantoo early deserted by her first serious protector and fallen back onshabby lovers, of a precarious first appearance of a bad start,handicapped by refusals of credit and threats of eviction.Nana was sleeping on her face, hugging in her bare arms a pillow inwhich she was burying cheeks grown pale in sleep. The bedroom andthe dressing room were the only two apartments which had beenproperly furnished by a neighboring upholsterer. A ray of light,gliding in under a curtain, rendered visible rosewood furniture andhangings and chairbacks of figured damask with a pattern of big blueflowers on a gray ground. But in the soft atmosphere of thatslumbering chamber Nana suddenly awoke with a start, as thoughsurprised to find an empty place at her side. She looked at theother pillow lying next to hers; there was the dint of a human headamong its flounces: it was still warm. And groping with one hand,she pressed the knob of an electric bell by her bed's head."He's gone then?" she asked the maid who presented herself."Yes, madame, Monsieur Paul went away not ten minutes back. AsMadame was tired, he did not wish to wake her. But he ordered me totell Madame that he would come tomorrow."As she spoke Zoe, the lady's maid, opened the outer shutter. Aflood of daylight entered. Zoe, a dark brunette with hair in littleplaits, had a long canine face, at once livid and full of seams, asnub nose, thick lips and two black eyes in continual movement."Tomorrow, tomorrow," repeated Nana, who was not yet wide awake, "istomorrow the day?""Yes, madame, Monsieur Paul has always come on the Wednesday.""No, now I remember," said the young woman, sitting up. "It's allchanged. I wanted to tell him so this morning. He would runagainst the nigger! We should have a nice to-do!""Madame did not warn me; I couldn't be aware of it," murmured Zoe."When Madame changes her days she will do well to tell me so that Imay know. Then the old miser is no longer due on the Tuesday?"Between themselves they were wont thus gravely to nickname as "oldmiser" and "nigger" their two paying visitors, one of whom was atradesman of economical tendencies from the Faubourg Saint-Denis,while the other was a Walachian, a mock count, whose money, paidalways at the most irregular intervals, never looked as though ithad been honestly come by. Daguenet had made Nana give him the dayssubsequent to the old miser's visits, and as the trader had to be athome by eight o'clock in the morning, the young man would watch forhis departure from Zoes kitchen and would take his place, which wasstill quite warm, till ten o'clock. Then he, too, would go abouthis business. Nana and he were wont to think it a very comfortablearrangement."So much the worse," said Nana; "I'll write to him this afternoon.And if he doesn't receive my letter, then tomorrow you will stop himcoming in."In the meantime Zoe was walking softly about the room. She spoke ofyesterday's great hit. Madame had shown such talent; she sang sowell! Ah! Madame need not fret at all now!Nana, her elbow dug into her pillow, only tossed her head in reply.Her nightdress had slipped down on her shoulders, and her hair,unfastened and entangled, flowed over them in masses."Without doubt," she murmured, becoming thoughtful; "but what's tobe done to gain time? I'm going to have all sorts of bothers today.Now let's see, has the porter come upstairs yet this morning?"Then both the women talked together seriously. Nana owed threequarters' rent; the landlord was talking of seizing the furniture.Then, too, there was a perfect downpour of creditors; there was alivery-stable man, a needlewoman, a ladies' tailor, a charcoaldealer and others besides, who came every day and settled themselveson a bench in the little hall. The charcoal dealer especially was adreadful fellow--he shouted on the staircase. But Nana's greatestcause of distress was her little Louis, a child she had given birthto when she was sixteen and now left in charge of a nurse in avillage in the neighborhood of Rambouillet. This woman wasclamoring for the sum of three hundred francs before she wouldconsent to give the little Louis back to her. Nana, since her lastvisit to the child, had been seized with a fit of maternal love andwas desperate at the thought that she could not realize a project,which had now become a hobby with her. This was to pay off thenurse and to place the little man with his aunt, Mme Lerat, at theBatignolles, whither she could go and see him as often as she liked.Meanwhile the lady's maid kept hinting that her mistress ought tohave confided her necessities to the old miser."To be sure, I told him everything," cried Nana, "and he told me inanswer that he had too many big liabilities. He won't go beyond histhousand francs a month. The nigger's beggared just at present; Iexpect he's lost at play. As to that poor Mimi, he stands in greatneed of a loan himself; a fall in stocks has cleaned him out--hecan't even bring me flowers now."She was speaking of Daguenet. In the self-abandonment of herawakening she had no secrets from Zoe, and the latter, inured tosuch confidences, received them with respeciful sympathy. SinceMadame condescended to speak to her of her affairs she would permitherself to say what she thought. Besides, she was very fond ofMadame; she had left Mme Blanche for the express purpose of takingservice with her, and heaven knew Mme Blanche was straining everynerve to have her again! Situations weren't lacking; she was prettywell known, but she would have stayed with Madame even in narrowcircumstances, because she believed in Madame's future. And sheconcluded by stating her advice with precision. When one was youngone often did silly things. But this time it was one's duty to lookalive, for the men only thought of having their fun. Oh dear, yes!Things would right themselves. Madame had only to say one word inorder to quiet her creditors and find the money she stood in needof."All that doesn't help me to three hundred francs," Nana keptrepeating as she plunged her fingers into the vagrant convolutionsof her back hair. "I must have three hundred francs today, at once!It's stupid not to know anyone who'll give you three hundredfrancs."She racked her brains. She would have sent Mme Lerat, whom she wasexpecting that very morning, to Rambouillet. The counteraction ofher sudden fancy spoiled for her the triumph of last night. Amongall those men who had cheered her, to think that there wasn't one tobring her fifteen louis! And then one couldn't accept money in thatway! Dear heaven, how unfortunate she was! And she kept harkingback again to the subject of her baby--he had blue eyes like acherub's; he could lisp "Mamma" in such a funny voice that you wereready to die of laughing!But at this moment the electric bell at the outer door was heard toring with its quick and tremulous vibration. Zoe returned,murmuring with a confidential air:"It's a woman."She had seen this woman a score of times, only she made believenever to recognize her and to be quite ignorant of the nature of herrelations with ladies in difficulties."She has told me her name--Madame Tricon.""The Tricon," cried Nana. "Dear me! That's true. I'd forgottenher. Show her in."Zoe ushered in a tall old lady who wore ringlets and looked like acountess who haunts lawyers' offices. Then she effaced herself,disappearing noiselessly with the lithe, serpentine movementwherewith she was wont to withdraw from a room on the arrival of agentleman. However, she might have stayed. The Tricon did not evensit down. Only a brief exchange of words took place."I have someone for you today. Do you care about it?""Yes. How much?""Twenty louis.""At what o'clock?""At three. It's settled then?""It's settled."Straightway the Tricon talked of the state of the weather. It wasdry weather, pleasant for walking. She had still four or fivepersons to see. And she took her departure after consulting a smallmemorandum book. When she was once more alone Nana appearedcomforted. A slight shiver agitated her shoulders, and she wrappedherself softly up again in her warm bedclothes with the lazymovements of a cat who is susceptible to cold. Little by little hereyes closed, and she lay smiling at the thought of dressing Louisetprettily on the following day, while in the slumber into which sheonce more sank last night's long, feverish dream of endlesslyrolling applause returned like a sustained accompaniment to musicand gently soothed her lassitude.At eleven o'clock, when Zoe showed Mme Lerat into the room, Nana wasstill asleep. But she woke at the noise and cried out at once:"It's you. You'll go to Rambouillet today?""That's what I've come for," said the aunt. "There's a train attwenty past twelve. I've got time to catch it.""No, I shall only have the money by and by," replied the youngwoman, stretching herself and throwing out her bosom. "You'll havelunch, and then we'll see."Zoe brought a dressing jacket."The hairdresser's here, madame," she murmured.But Nana did not wish to go into the dressing room. And she herselfcried out:"Come in, Francis."A well-dressed man pushed open the door and bowed. Just at thatmoment Nana was getting out of bed, her bare legs in full view. Butshe did not hurry and stretched her hands out so as to let Zoe drawon the sleeves of the dressing jacket. Francis, on his part, wasquite at his ease and without turning away waited with a soberexpression on his face."Perhaps Madame has not seen the papers. There's a very nicearticle in the Figaro."He had brought the journal. Mme Lerat put on her spectacles andread the article aloud, standing in front of the window as she didso. She had the build of a policeman, and she drew herself up toher full height, while her nostrils seemed to compress themselveswhenever she uttered a gallant epithet. It was a notice byFauchery, written just after the performance, and it consisted of acouple of very glowing columns, full of witty sarcasm about theartist and of broad admiration for the woman."Excellent!" Francis kept repeating.Nana laughed good-humoredly at his chaffing her about her voice! Hewas a nice fellow, was that Fauchery, and she would repay him forhis charming style of writing. Mme Lerat, after having reread thenotice, roundly declared that the men all had the devil in theirshanks, and she refused to explain her self further, being fullysatisfied with a brisk allusion of which she alone knew the meaning her in an income of six hundredfrancs a year. Nanapromised to rent some pretty little lodgings for her and to give hera hundred francs a month besides. At the mention of this sum theaunt forgot herself and shrieked to her niece, bidding her squeezetheir throats, since she had them in her grasp. She was meaning themen, of course. Then they both embraced again, but i.Francis finished turning up and fastening Nana's hair. He bowed andsaid:"I'll keep my eye on the evening papers. At half-past five asusual, eh?""Bring me a pot of pomade and a pound of burnt almonds fromBoissier's," Nana cried to him across the drawing room just as hewas shutting the door after him.Then the two women, once more alone, recollected that they had notembraced, and they planted big kisses on each other's cheeks. Thenotice warmed their hearts. Nana, who up till now had been halfasleep, was again seized with the fever of her triumph. Dear, dear,'twas Rose Mignon that would be spending a pleasant morning! Heraunt having been unwilling to go to the theater because, as sheaverred, sudden emotions ruined her stomach, Nana set herself todescribe the events of the evening and grew intoxicated at her ownrecital, as though all Paris had been shaken to the ground by theapplause. Then suddenly interrupting herself, she asked with alaugh if one would ever have imagined it all when she used to gotraipsing about the Rue de la Goutte-d'Or. Mme Lerat shook herhead. No, no, one never could have foreseen it! And she begantalking in her turn, assuming a serious air as she did so andcalling Nana "daughter." Wasn't she a second mother to her sincethe first had gone to rejoin Papa and Grandmamma? Nana was greatlysoftened and on the verge of tears. But Mme Lerat declared that thepast was the past--oh yes, to be sure, a dirty past with things init which it was as well not to stir up every day. She had left offseeing her niece for a long time because among the family she wasaccused of ruining herself along with the little thing. Good God,as though that were possible! She didn't ask for confidences; shebelieved that Nana had always lived decently, and now it was enoughfor her to have found her again in a fine position and to observeher kind feelings toward her son. Virtue and hard work were stillthe only things worth anything in this world."Who is the baby's father?" she said, interrupting herself, her eyeslit up with an exhad crossed two knives on thetable in front of her. Notwithstanding this, the young womandefended herself from the charge of superstition. Thus, if the saltwere upset, it meant nothing, even on a Friday; but when it came toknives, that was too much of a good thing; that had never provedfallacious. There could be no doubt that something unpleasant wasgoing to happen to her. She yawned, and then with an air, ofprofound boredom:"Two o'clock already. I must go out. What a nuisance!"The two old ladies looked at one another. The three women shooktheir heads without speaking. To be sure, life was not alwaysamusing. Nana had tilted her chair back anew and lit a cigarette,while the others sat pursing up their lips discreetly, thinkingdeeply philosophic thoughts."While waiting for you to return we'll play a game of bezique," saidMme Maloir after a short silence. "Does Madame play bezique?"Certainly Mme Lerat played it, and that to perfection. It was nogood troubling Zoe, who had vanished--a corner of the table would doquite well. And they pushepression of acute curiosity.Nana was taken by surprise and hesitated a moment."A gentleman," she replied."There now!" rejoined the aunt. "They declared that you had him bya stonemason who was in the habit of beating you. Indeed, you shalltell me all about it someday; you know I'm discreet! Tut, tut, I'lllook after him as though he were a prince's son."She had retired from business as a florist and was living on hersavings, which she had got together sou by sou, till now theybroughtn the midst ofher rejoicing Nana's face, as she led the talk back to the subjectof Louiset, seemed to be overshadowed by a sudden recollection."Isn't it a bore I've got to go out at three o'clock?" she muttered."It is a nuisance!"Just then Zoe came in to say that lunch was on the table. They wentinto the dining room, where an old lady was already seated at table.She had not taken her hat off, and she wore a dark dress of anindecisive color midway between puce and goose dripping. Nana didnot seem surprised at sight of her. She simply asked her why shehadn't come into the bedroom."I heard voices," replied the old lady. "I thought you hadcompany."Mme Maloir, a respectable-looking and mannerly woman, was Nana's oldfriend, chaperon and companion. Mme Lerat's presence seemed tofidget her at first. Afterward, when she became aware that it wasNana's aunt, she looked at her with a sweet expression and a die-away smile. In the meantime Nana, who averred that she was ashungry as a wolf, threw herself on the radishes and gobbled them upwithout bread. Mme Lerat had become ceremonious; she refused theradishes as provocative of phlegm. By and by when Zoe had broughtin the cutlets Nana just chipped the meat and contented herself withsucking the bones. Now and again she scrutinized her old friend'shat out of the corners of her eyes."It's the new hat I gave you?" she ended by saying."Yes, I made it up," murmured Mme Maloir, her mouth full of meat.The hat was smart to distraction. In front it was greatlyexaggerated, and it was adorned with a lofty feather. Mme Maloirhad a mania for doing up all her hats afresh; she alone knew whatreally became her, and with a few stitches she could manufacture atoque out of the most elegant headgear. Nana, who had bought herthis very hat in order not to be ashamed of her when in her companyout of doors, was very near being vexed."Push it up, at any rate," she cried."No, thank you," replied the old lady with dignity. "It doesn't getin my way; I can eat very comfortably as it is."After the cutlets came cauliflowers and the remains of a coldchicken. But at the arrival of each successive dish Nana made alittle face, hesitated, sniffed and left her plateful untouched.She finished her lunch with the help of preserve.Dessert took a long time. Zoe did not remove the cloth beforeserving the coffee. Indeed, the ladies simply pushed back theirplates before taking it. They talked continually of yesterday'scharming evening. Nana kept rolling cigarettes, which she smoked,swinging up and down on her backward-tilted chair. And as Zoe hadremained behind and was lounging idly against the sideboard, it cameabout that the company were favored with her history. She said shewas the daughter of a midwife at Bercy who had failed in business.First of all she had taken service with a dentist and after thatwith an insurance agent, but neither place suited her, and shethereupon enumerated, not without a certain amount of pride, thenames of the ladies with whom she had served as lady's maid. Zoespoke of these ladies as one who had had the making of theirfortunes. It was very certain that without her more than one wouldhave had some queer tales to tell. Thus one day, when Mme Blanchewas with M. Octave, in came the old gentleman. What did Zoe do?She made believe to tumble as she crossed the drawing room; the oldboy rushed up to her assistance, flew to the kitchen to fetch her aglass of water, and M. Octave slipped away."Oh, she's a good girl, you bet!" said Nana, who was listening toher with tender interest and a sort of submissive admiration."Now I've had my troubles," began Mme Lerat. And edging up to MmeMaloir, she imparted to her certain confidential confessions. Bothladies took lumps of sugar dipped in cognac and sucked them. ButMme Maloir was wont to listen to other people's secrets without evenconfessing anything concerning herself. People said that she livedon a mysterious allowance in a room whither no one ever penetrated.All of a sudden Nana grew excited."Don't play with the knives, Aunt. You know it gives me a turn!"Without thinking about it Mme Lerat d back the tablecloth over the dirtyplates. But as Mme Maloir was herself going to take the cards outof a drawer in the sideboard, Nana remarked that before she sat downto her game it would be very nice of her if she would write her aletter. It bored Nana to write letters; besides, she was not sureof her spelling, while her old friend could turn out the mostfeeling epistles. She ran to fetch some good note paper in herbedroom. An inkstand consisting of a bottle of ink worth aboutthree sous stood untidily on one of the pieces of furniture, with apen deep in rust beside it. The letter was for Daguenet. MmeMaloir herself wrote in her bold English hand, "My darling littleman," and then she told him not to come tomorrow because "that couldnot be" but hastened to add that "she was with him in thought atevery moment of the day, whether she were near or far away.""And I end with 'a thousand kisses,'" she murmured.Mme Lerat had shown her approval of each phrase with an emphaticnod. Her eyes were sparkling; she loved to find herself in themidst of love affairs. Nay, she was seized with a desire to addsome words of her own and, assuming a tender look and cooing like adove, she suggested:"A thousand kisses on thy beautiful eyes.""That's the thing: 'a thousand kisses on thy beautiful eyes'!" Nanarepeated, while the two old ladies assumed a beatified expression.Zoe was rung for and told to take the letter down to acommissionaire. She had just been talking with the theatermessenger, who had brought her mistress the day's playbill andrehearsal arrangements, which he had forgotten in the morning. Nanahad this individual ushered in and got him to take the latter toDaguenet on his return. Then she put questions to him. Oh yes! M.Bordenave was very pleased; people had already taken seats for aweek to come; Madame had no idea of the number of people who hadbeen asking her address since morning. When the man had taken hisdeparture Nana announced that at most she would only be out half anhour. If there were any visitors Zoe would make them wait. As shespoke the electric bell sounded. It was a creditor in the shape ofthe man of whom she jobbed her carriages. He had settled himself onthe bench in the anteroom, and the fellow was free to twiddle histhumbs till night--there wasn't the least hurry now."Come, buck up!" said Nana, still torpid with laziness and yawningand stretching afresh. "I ought to be there now!"Yet she did not budge but kept watching the play of her aunt, whohad just announced four aces. Chin on hand, she grew quiteengrossed in it but gave a violent start on hearing three o'clockstrike."Good God!" she cried roughly.Then Mme Maloir, who was counting the tricks she had won with hertens and aces, said cheeringly to her in her soft voice:"It would be better, dearie, to give up your expedition at once.""No, be quick about it," said Mme Lerat, shuffling the cards. "Ishall take the half-past four o'clock train if you're back here withthe money before four o'clock.""Oh, there'll be no time lost," she murmured.Ten minutes after Zoe helped her on with a dress and a hat. Itdidn't matter much if she were badly turned out. Just as she wasabout to go downstairs there was a new ring at the bell. This timeit was the charcoal dealer. Very well, he might keep the livery-stable keeper company--it would amuse the fellows. Only, as shedreaded a scene, she crossed the kitchen and made her escape by theback stairs. She often went that way and in return had only to liftup her flounces."When one is a good mother anything's excusable," said Mme Maloirsententiously when left alone with Mme Lerat."Four kings," replied this lady, whom the play greatly excited.And they both plunged into an interminable game.The table had not been cleared. The smell of lunch and thecigarette smoke filled the room with an ambient, steamy vapor. Thetwo ladies had again set to work dipping lumps of sugar in brandyand sucking the same. For twenty minutes at least they played andsucked simultaneously when, the electric bell having rung a thirdtime, Zoe bustled into the room and roughly disturbed them, just asif they had been her own friends."Look here, that's another ring. You can't stay where you are. Ifmany foiks call I must have the whole flat. Now off you go, off yougo!"Mme Maloir was for finishing the game, but Zoe looked as if she wasgoing to pounce down on the cards, and so she decided to carry themoff without in any way altering their positions, while Mme Leratundertook the removal of the brandy bottle, the glasses and thesugar. Then they both scudded to the kitchen, where they installedthemselves at the table in an empty space between the dishcloths,which were spread out to dry, and the bowl still full of dishwater."We said it was three hundred and forty. It's your turn.""I play hearts."When Zoe returned she found them once again absorbed. After asilence, as Mme Lerat was shuffling, Mme Maloir asked who it was."Oh, nobody to speak of," replied the servant carelessly; "a slip ofa lad! I wanted to send him away again, but he's such a pretty boywith never a hair on his chin and blue eyes and a girl's face! So Itold him to wait after all. He's got an enormous bouquet in hishand, which he never once consented to put down. One would like tocatch him one--a brat like that who ought to be at school still!"Mme Lerat went to fetch a water bottle to mix herself some brandyand water, the lumps of sugar having rendered her thirsty. Zoemuttered something to the effect that she really didn't mind if shedrank something too. Her mouth, she averred, was as bitter as gall."So you put him--?" continued Mme Maloir."Oh yes, I put him in the closet at the end of the room, the littleunfurnished one. There's only one of my lady's trunks there and atable. It's there I stow the lubbers."And she was putting plenty of sugar in her grog when the electricbell made her jump. Oh, drat it all! Wouldn't they let her have adrink in peace? If they were to have a peal of bells thingspromised well. Nevertheless, she ran off to open the door.Returning presently, she saw Mme Maloir questioning her with aglance."It's nothing," she said, "only a bouquet."All three refreshed themselves, nodding to each other in token ofsalutation. Then while Zoe was at length busy clearing the table,bringing the plates out one by one and putting them in the sink, twoother rings followed close upon one another. But they weren'tserious, for while keeping the kitchen informed of what was going onshe twice repeated her disdainful expression:"Nothing, only a bouquet."Notwithstanding which, the old ladies laughed between two of theirtricks when they heard her describe the looks of the creditors inthe anteroom after the flowers had arrived. Madame would find herbouquets on her toilet table. What a pity it was they cost such alot and that you could only get ten sous for them! Oh dear, yes,plenty of money was wasted!"For my part," said Mme Maloir, "I should be quite content if everyday of my life I got what the men in Paris had spent on flowers forthe women.""Now, you know, you're not hard to please," murmured Mme Lerat."Why, one would have only just enough to buy thread with. Fourqueens, my dear."It was ten minutes to four. Zoe was astonished, could notunderstand why her mistress was out so long. Ordinarily when Madamefound herself obliged to go out in the afternoons she got it over indouble-quick time. But Mme Maloir declared that one didn't alwaysmanage things as one wished. Truly, life was beset with obstacles,averred Mme Lerat. The best course was to wait. If her niece waslong in coming it was because her occupations detained her; wasn'tit so? Besides, they weren't overworked--it was comfortable in thekitchen. And as hearts were out, Mme Lerat threw down diamonds.The bell began again her small gloved hands.It was too late now--Mme Lerat would not go to Rambouillet tilltomorrow, and Nana entered into long explanations."There's company waiting for you," the lady's maid repeated.But Nana grew excited again. The company might wait: she'd go tothem all in good time when she'd finished. And as her aunt beganputting her hand out for the money:"Ah no! Not all of it," she said. "Three hundred francs for thenurse, fifty for your journey and expenses, that's three hundred andfifty. Fifty francs I keep."The big difficulty was how to find change. There were not tenfrancs in the house. But they did not even address themselves toMme Maloir who, never having more than a six-sou omnibus fair uponher, was listening in quite a disinterested manner. At length Zoewent out of the room, remarking that she would go and looin, and when Zoe reappeared she was burningwithexcitement."My children, it's fat Steiner!" she said in the doorway, loweringher voice as she spoke. "I've put him in the little sitting room."Thereupon Mme Maloir spoke about the banker to Mme Lerat, who knewno such gentleman. Was he getting ready to give Rose Mignon the go-by? Zoe shook her head; she knew a thing or two. But once more shehad to go and open the door."Here's bothers!" she murmured when she came back. "It's thenigger! 'Twasn't any good telling him that my lady's gone out, andso he's settled himself in the bedroom. We only expected him thisevening."At a quarter past four Nana was not in yet. What could she beafter? It was silly of her! Two other bouquets were brought round,and Zoe, growing bored looked to see if there were any coffee left.Yes, the ladies would willingly finish off the coffee; it wouldwaken them up. Sitting hunched up on their chairs, they werebeginning to fall asleep through dint of constantly taking theircards between their fingers with the accustomed movement. The half-hour sounded. Something must decidedly have happened to Madame.And they began whispering to each other.Suddenly Mme Maloir forgot herself and in a ringing voice announced:"I've the five hundred! Trumps, Major Quint!""Oh, do be quiet!" said Zoe angrily. "What will all those gentlementhink?" And in the silence which ensued and amid the whisperedmuttering of the two old women at strife over their game, the soundof rapid footsteps ascended from the back stairs. It was Nana atlast. Before she had opened the door her breathlessness becameaudible. She bounced abruptly in, looking very red in the face.Her skirt, the string of which must have been broken, was trailingover the stairs, and her flounces had just been dipped in a puddleof something unpleasant which had oozed out on the landing of thefirst floor, where the servant girl was a regular slut."Here you are! It's lucky!" said Mme Lerat, pursing up her lips,for she was still vexed at Mme Maloir's "five hundred." "You mayflatter yourself at the way you keep folks waiting.""Madame isn't reasonable; indeed, she isn't!" added Zoe.Nana was already harassed, and these reproaches exasperated her.Was that the way people received her after the worry she had gonethrough?"Will you blooming well leave me alone, eh?" she cried."Hush, ma'am, there are people in there," said the maid.Then in lower tones the young Woman stuttered breathlessly:"D'you suppose I've been having a good time? Why, there was no endto it. I should have liked to see you there! I was boiling withrage! I felt inclined to smack somebody. And never a cab to comehome in! Luckily it's only a step from here, but never mind that; Idid just run home.""You have the money?" asked the aunt."Dear, dear! That question!" rejoined Nana.She had sat herself down on a chair close up against the stove, forher legs had failed her after so much running, and without stoppingto take breath she drew from behind her stays an envelope in whichthere were four hundred-franc notes. They were visible through alarge rent she had torn with savage fingers in order to be sure ofthe contents. The three women round about her stared fixedly at theenvelope, a big, crumpled, dirty receptacle, as it lay claspedk in herbox, and she brought back a hundred francs in hundred-sou pieces.They were counted out on a corner of the table, and Mme Lerat tookher departure at once after having promised to bring Louiset backwith her the following day."You say there's company there?" continued Nana, still sitting onthe chair and resting herself."Yes, madame, three people."And Zoe mentioned the banker first. Nana made a face. Did that manSteiner think she was going to let herself be bored because he hadthrown her a bouquet yesterday evening?"Besides, I've had enough of it," she declared. "I shan't receivetoday. Go and say you don't expect me now.""Madame will think the matter over; Madame will receive MonsieurSteiner," murmured Zoe gravely, without budging from her place. Shewas annoyed to see her mistress on the verge of committing anotherfoolish mistake.Then she mentioned the Walachian, who ought by now to find timehanging heavy on his hands in the bedroom. Whereupon Nana grewfurious and more obstinate than ever. No, she would see nobody,nobody! Who'd sent her such a blooming leech of a man?"Chuck 'em all out! I--I'm going to play a game of bezique withMadame Maloir. I prefer doing that."The bell interrupted her remarks. That was the last straw. Anotherof the beggars yet! She forbade Zoe to go and open the door, butthe latter had left the kitchen without listening to her, and whenshe reappeared she brought back a couple of cards and saidauthoritatively:"I told them that Madame was receiving visitors. The gentlemen arein the drawing room."Nana had sprung up, raging, but the names of the Marquis de Chouardand of Count Muffat de Beuville, which were inscribed on the cards,calmed her down. For a moment or two she remained silent."Who are they?" she asked at last. "You know them?""I know the old fellow," replied Zoe, discreetly pursing up herlips.And her mistress continuing to question her with her eyes, she addedsimply:"I've seen him somewhere."This remark seemed to decide the young woman. Regretfully she leftthe kitchen, that asylum of steaming warmth, where you could talkand take your ease amid the pleasant fumes of the coffeepot whichwas being kept warm over a handful of glowing embers. She left MmeMaloir behind her. That lady was now busy reading her fortune bythe cards; she had never yet taken her hat off, but now in order tobe more at her ease she undid the strings and threw them back overher shoulders.In the dressing room, where Zoe rapidly helped her on with a teagown, Nana revenged herself for the way in which they were allboring her by muttering quiet curses upon the male sex. These bigwords caused the lady's maid not a little distress, for she saw withpain that her mistress was not rising superior to her origin asquickly as she could have desired. She even made bold to beg Madameto calm herself."You bet," was Nana's crude answer; "they're swine; they glory inthat sort of thing."Nevertheless, she assumed her princesslike manner, as she was wontto call it. But just when she was turning to go into the drawingroom Zoe held her back and herself introduced the Marquis de Chouardand the Count Muffat into the dressing room. It was much better so."I regret having kept you waiting, gentlemen," said the young womanwith studied politeness.The two men bowed and seated themselves. A blind of embroideredtulle kept the little room in twilight. It was the most elegantchamber in the flat, for it was hung with some light-colored fabricand contained a cheval glass framed in inlaid wood, a lounge chairand some others with arms and blue satin upholsteries. On thetoilet table the bouquets--roses, lilacs and hyacinths--appearedlike a very ruin of flowers. Their perfume was strong andpenetrating, while through the dampish air of the place, which wasfull of the spoiled exhalations of the washstand, came occasionalwhiffs of a more pungent scent, the scent of some grains or drypatchouli ground to fine powder at the bottom of a cup. And as shegathered herself together and drew up her dressing jacket, which hadbeen ill fastened, Nana had all the appearance of having beensurprised at her toilet: her skin was still damp; she smiled andlooked quite startled amid her frills and laces."Madame, you will pardon our insistence," said the Count Muffatgravely. "We come on a quest. Monsieur and I are members of theBenevolent Organization of the district."The Marquis de Chouard hastened gallantly to add:"When we learned that a great artiste lived in this house wepromised ourselves that we would put the claims of our poor peoplebefore her in a very special manner. Talent is never without aheart."Nana pretended to be modest. She answered them with littleassenting movements of her head, making rapid reflections at thesame time. It must be the old man that had brought the other one:he had such wicked eyes. And yet the other was not to be trustedeither: the veins near his temples were so queerly puffed up. Hemight quite well have come by himself. Ah, now that she thought ofit, it was this way: the porter had given them her name, and theyhad egged one another on, each with his own ends in view."Most certainly, gentlemen, you were quite right to come up," shesaid with a very good grace.But the electric bell made her tremble again. Another call, andthat Zoe always opening the door! She went on:"One is only too happy to be able to give."At bottom she was flattered."Ah, madame," rejoined the marquis, "if only you knew about it!there's such misery! Our district has more than three thousand poorpeople in it, and yet it's one of the richest. You cannot pictureto yourself anything like the present distress--children with nobread, women ill, utterly without assistance, perishing of thecold!""The poor souls!" cried Nana, very much moved.Such was her feeling of compassion that tears flooded her fine eyes.No longer studying deportment, she leaned forward with a quickmovement, and under her open dressing jacket her neck becamevisible, while the bent position of her knees served to outline therounded contour of the thigh under the thin fabric of her skirt. Alittle flush of blood appeared in the marquis's cadaverous cheeks.Count Muffat, who was on the point of speaking, lowered his eyes.The air of that little room was too hot: it had the close, heavywarmth of a greenhouse. The roses were withering, and intoxicatingodors floated up from the patchouli in the cup."One would like to be very rich on occasions like this," added Nana."Well, well, we each do what we can. Believe me, gentlemen, if Ihad known--"She was on the point of being guilty of a silly speech, so meltedwas she at heart. But she did not end her sentence and for a momentwas worried at not being able to remember where she had put herfifty francs on changing her dress. But she recollected at last:they must be on the corner of her toilet table under an invertedpomatum pot. As she was in the act of rising the bell sounded forquite a long time. Capital! Another of them still! It would neverend. The count and the marquis had both risen, too, and the ears ofthe latter seemed to be pricked up and, as it were, pointing towardthe door; doubtless he knew that kind of ring. Muffat looked athim; then they averted their gaze mutually. They felt awkward andonce more assumed their frigid bearing, the one looking square-setand solid with his thick head of hair, the other drawing back hislean shoulders, over which fell his fringe of thin white locks."My faith," said Nana, bringing the ten big silver pieces and quitedetermined to laugh about it, "I am going to entrust you with this,gentlemen. It is for the poor."And the adorable little dimple in her chin became apparent. Sheassumed her favorite pose, her amiable baby expression, as she heldthe pile of five-franc pieces on her open palm and offered it to themen, as though she were saying to them, "Now then, who wants some?"The count was the sharper of the two. He took fifty francs but leftone piece behind and, in order to gain possession of it, had to pickit off the young woman's very skin, a moist, supple skin, the touchof which sent a thrill through him. She was thoroughly merry anddid not cease laughing."Come, gentlemen," she continued. "Another time I hope to givemore."The gentlemen no longer had any pretext for staying, and they bowedand went toward the door. But just as they were about to go out thebell rang anew. The marquis could not conceal a faint smile, whilea frown made the count look more grave than before. Nana detainedthem some seconds so as to give Zoe time to find yet another cornerfor the newcomers. She did not relish meetings at her house. Onlythis time the whole place must be packed! She was therefore muchrelieved when she saw the drawing room empty and asked herselfwhether Zoe had really stuffed them into the cupboards."Au revoir, gentlemen," she said, pausing on the threshold of thedrawing room.It was as though she lapped them in her laughing smile and clear,unclouded glance. The Count Muffat bowed slightly. Despite hisgreat social experience he felt that he had lost his equilibrium.He needed air; he was overcome with the dizzy feeling engendered inthat dressing room with a scent of flowers, with a feminine essencewhich choked him. And behind his back, the Marquis de Chouard, whowas sure that he could not be seen, made so bold as to wink at Nana,his whole face suddenly altering its expression as he did so, andhis tongue nigh lolling from his mouth.When the young woman re-entered the little room, where Zoe wasawaiting her with letters and visiting cards, she cried out,laughing more heartily than ever:"There are a pair of beggars for you! Why, they've got away with myfifty francs!"She wasn't vexed. It struck her as a joke that men should have gotmoney out of her. All the same, they were swine, for she hadn't asou left. But at sight of the cards and the letters her bad temperreturned. As to the letters, why, she said "pass" to them. Theywere from fellows who, after applauding her last night, were nowmaking their declarations. And as to the callers, they might goabout their business!Zoe had stowed them all over the place, and she called attention tothe great capabilities of the flat, every room in which opened onthe corridor. That wasn't the case at Mme Blanche's, where peoplehad all to go through the drawing room. Oh yes, Mme Blanche had hadplenty of bothers over it!"You will send them all away," continued Nana in pursuance of heridea. "Begin with the nigger.""Oh, as to him, madame, I gave him his marching orders a while ago,"said Zoe with a grin. "He only wanted to tell Madame that hecouldn't come to-night."There was vast joy at this announcement, and Nana clapped her hands.He wasn't coming, what good luck! She would be free then! And sheemitted sighs of relief, as though she had been let off the mostabominable of tortures. Her first thought was for Daguenet. Poorduck, why, she had just written to tell him to wait till Thursday!Quick, quick, Mme Maloir should write a second letter! But Zoeannounced that Mme Maloir had slipped away unnoticed, according toher wont. Whereupon Nana, after talking of sending someone to him,began to hesitate. She was very tired. A long night's sleep--oh,it would be so jolly! The thought of such a treat overcame her atlast. For once in a way she could allow herself that!"I shall go to bed when I come back from the theater," she murmuredgreedily, "and you won't wake me before noon."Then raising her voice:"Now then, gee up! Shove the others downstairs!"Zoe did not move. She would never have dreamed of giving hermistress overt advice, only now she made shift to give Madame thebenefit of her experience when Madame seemed to be running her hothead against a wall."Monsieur Steiner as well?" she queried curtly."Why, certainly!" replied Nana. "Before all the rest."The maid still waited, in order to give her mistress time forreflection. Would not Madame be proud to get such a rich gentlemanaway from her rival Rose Mignon--a man, moreover, who was known inall the theaters?"Now make haste, my dear," rejoined Nana, who perfectly understoodthe situation, "and tell him he pesters me."But suddenly there was a reversion of feeling. Tomorrow she mightwant him. Whereupon she laughed, winked once or twice and with anaughty little gesture cried out:"After all's said and done, if I want him the best way even now isto kick him out of doors."Zoe seemed much impressed. Struck with a sudden admiration, shegazed at her mistress and then went and chucked Steiner out of doorswithout further deliberation.Meanwhile Nana waited patiently for a second or two in order to giveher time to sweep the place out, as she phrased it. No one wouldever have expected such a siege! She craned her head into thedrawing room and found it empty. The dining room was empty too.But as she continued her visitation in a calmer frame of mind,feeling certain that nobody remained behind, she opened the door ofa closet and came suddenly upon a very young man. He was sitting onthe top of a trunk, holding a huge bouquet on his knees and lookingexceedingly quiet and extremely well behaved."Goodness gracious me!" she cried. "There's one of 'em in thereeven now!" The very young man had jumped down at sight of her andwas blushing as red as a poppy. He did not know what to do with hisbouquet, which he kept shifting from one hand to the other, whilehis looks betrayed the extreme of emotion. His youth, hisembarrassment and the funny figure he cut in his struggles with hisflowers melted Nana's heart, and she burst into a pretty peal oflaughter. Well, now, the very children were coming, were they? Menwere arriving in long clothes. So she gave up all airs and graces,became familiar and maternal, tapped her leg and asked for fun:"You want me to wipe your nose; do you, baby?""Yes," replied the lad in a low, supplicating tone.This answer made her merrier than ever. He was seventeen years old,he said. His name was Georges Hugon. He was at the Varietes lastnight and now he had come to see her."These flowers are for me?""Yes.""Then give 'em to me, booby!"But as she took the bouquet from him he sprang upon her hands andkissed them with all the gluttonous eagerness peculiar to hischarming time of life. She had to beat him to make him let go.There was a dreadful little dribbling customer for you! But as shescolded him she flushed rosy-red and began smiling. And with thatshe sent him about his business, telling him that he might callagain. He staggered away; he could not find the doors.Nana went back into her dressing room, where Francis made hisappearance almost simultaneously in order to dress her hair for theevening. Seated in front of her mirror and bending her head beneaththe hairdresser's nimble hands, she stayed silently meditative.Presently, however, Zoe entered, remarking:"There's one of them, madame, who refuses to go.""Very well, he must be left alone," she answered quietly."If that comes to that they still keep arriving.""Bah! Tell 'em to wait. When they begin to feel too hungry they'llbe off." Her humor had changed, and she was now delighted to makepeople wait about for nothing. A happy thought struck her as veryamusing; she escaped from beneath Francis' hands and ran and boltedthe doors. They might now crowd in there as much as they liked;they would probably refrain from making a hole through the wall.Zoe could come in and out through the little doorway leading to thekitchen. However, the electric bell rang more lustily than ever.Every five minutes a clear, lively little ting-ting recurred asregularly as if it had been produced by some well-adjusted piece ofmechanism. And Nana counted these rings to while the time awaywithal. But suddenly she remembered something."I say, where are my burnt almonds?"Francis, too, was forgetting about the burnt almonds. But now hedrew a paper bag from one of the pockets of his frock coat andpresented it to her with the discreet gesture of a man who isoffering a lady a present. Nevertheless, whenever his accounts cameto be settled, he always put the burnt almonds down on his bill.Nana put the bag between her knees and set to work munching hersweetmeats, turning her head from time to time under thehairdresser's gently compelling touch."The deuce," she murmured after a silence, "there's a troop foryou!"Thrice, in quick succession, the bell had sounded. Its summonsesbecame fast and furious. There were modest tintinnabulations whichseemed to stutter and tremble like a first avowal; there were boldrings which vibrated under some rough touch and hasty rings whichsounded through the house with shivering rapidity. It was a regularpeal, as Zoe said, a peal loud enough to upset the neighborhood,seeing that a whole mob of men were jabbing at the ivory button, oneafter the other. That old joker Bordenave had really been far toolavish with her address. Why, the whole of yesterday's house wascoming!"By the by, Francis, have you five louis?" said Nana.He drew back, looked carefully at her headdress and then quietlyremarked:"Five louis, that's according!""Ah, you know if you want securities. . ." she continued.And without finishing her sentence, she indicated the adjoiningrooms with a sweeping gesture. Francis lent the five louis. Zoe,during each momentary respite, kept coming in to get Madame's thingsready. Soon she came to dress her while the hairdresser lingeredwith the intention of giving some finishing touches to theheaddress. But the bell kept continually disturbing the lady'smaid, who left Madame with her stays half laced and only one shoeon. Despite her long experience, the maid was losing her head.After bringing every nook and corner into requisition and puttingmen pretty well everywhere, she had been driven to stow them away inthrees and fours, which was a course of procedure entirely opposedto her principles. So much the worse for them if they ate eachother up! It would afford more room! And Nana, sheltering behindher carefully bolted door, began laughing at them, declaring thatshe could hear them pant. They ought to be looking lovely in therewith their tongues hanging out like a lot of bowwows sitting roundon their behinds. Yesterday's success was not yet over, and thispack of men had followed up her scent."Provided they don't break anything," she murmured.She began to feel some anxiety, for she fancied she felt their hotbreath coming through chinks in the door. But Zoe usheredLabordette in, and the young woman gave a little shout of relief.He was anxious to tell her about an account he had settled for herat the justice of peace's court. But she did not attend and said:"I'll take you along with me. We'll have dinner together, andafterward you shall escort me to the Varietes. I don't go on beforehalf-past nine."Good old Labordette, how lucky it was he had come! He was a fellowwho never asked for any favors. He was only the friend of thewomen, whose little bits of business he arranged for them. Thus onhis way in he had dismissed the creditors in the anteroom. Indeed,those good folks really didn't want to be paid. On the contrary, ifthey had been pressing for payment it was only for the sake ofcomplimenting Madame and of personally renewing their offers ofservice after her grand success of yesterday."Let's be off, let's be off," said Nana, who was dressed by now.But at that moment Zoe came in again, shouting:"I refuse to open the door any more. They're waiting in a crowd alldown the stairs."A crowd all down the stairs! Francis himself, despite the Englishstolidity of manner which he was wont to affect, began laughing ashe put up his combs. Nana, who had already taken Labordette's arm,pushed him into the kitchen and effected her escape. At last shewas delivered from the men and felt happily conscious that she mightnow enjoy his society anywhere without fear of stupid interruptions."You shall see me back to my door," she said as they went down thekitchen stairs. "I shall feel safe, in that case. Just fancy, Iwant to sleep a whole night quite by myself--yes, a whole night!It's sort of infatuation, dear boy!"