after applauding her last night, were now making their declarations. And
as to the callers, they might go about their business!

Zoe had stowed them all over the place, and she called attention to
the great capabilities of the flat, every room in which opened on the
corridor. That wasn't the case at Mme Blanche's, where people had all
to go through the drawing room. Oh yes, Mme Blanche had had plenty of
bothers over it!

"You will send them all away," continued Nana in pursuance of her idea.
"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 he couldn'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 she emitted
sighs of relief, as though she had been let off the most abominable of
tortures. Her first thought was for Daguenet. Poor duck, why, she had
just written to tell him to wait till Thursday! Quick, quick, Mme Maloir
should write a second letter! But Zoe announced that Mme Maloir had
slipped away unnoticed, according to her 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 at last. For once in a way she could allow
herself that!

"I shall go to bed when I come back from the theater," she murmured
greedily, "and you won't wake me before noon."