the fifth floor. But that is of no consequence with such a staircase, so
easy, so soft, that one climbs it almost without knowing."

Thereupon Morange showed his guest into the vestibule as if he were
ushering him into a temple. The stucco walls gleamed brightly; there was
a carpet on the stairs, and colored glass in the windows. And when, on
reaching the fifth story, the cashier opened the door with his latchkey,
he repeated, with an air of delight: "You will see, you will see!"

Valerie and Reine must have been on the watch, for they hastened forward.
At thirty-two Valerie was still young and charming. She was a
pleasant-looking brunette, with a round smiling face in a setting of
superb hair. She had a full, round bust, and admirable shoulders, of
which her husband felt quite proud whenever she showed herself in a
low-necked dress. Reine, at this time twelve years old, was the very
portrait of her mother, showing much the same smiling, if rather longer,
face under similar black tresses.

"Ah! it is very kind of you to accept our invitation," said Valerie gayly
as she pressed both Mathieu's hands. "What a pity that Madame Froment
could not come with you! Reine, why don't you relieve the gentleman of
his hat?"

Then she immediately continued: "We have a nice light anteroom, you see.
Would you like to glance over our flat while the eggs are being boiled?
That will always be one thing done, and you will then at least know where
you are lunching."

All this was said in such an agreeable way, and Morange on his side
smiled so good-naturedly, that Mathieu willingly lent himself to this