When they were on the street he handed her into a phaeton, which
he drove himself, and they were whirled away by two superb
horses.

We returned to Prudence's box, and when the play was over we took
a cab and drove to 7, Rue d'Antin. At the door, Prudence asked us
to come up and see her showrooms, which we had never seen, and of
which she seemed very proud. You can imagine how eagerly I
accepted. It seemed to me as if I was coming nearer and nearer to
Marguerite. I soon turned the conversation in her direction.

"The old duke is at your neighbours," I said to Prudence.

"Oh, no; she is probably alone."

"But she must be dreadfully bored," said Gaston.

"We spend most of our evening together, or she calls to me when
she comes in. She never goes to bed before two in the morning.
She can't sleep before that."

"Why?"

"Because she suffers in the chest, and is almost always
feverish."

"Hasn't she any lovers?" I asked.

"I never see any one remain after I leave; I don't say no one
ever comes when I am gone. Often in the evening I meet there a