So, in a moment, as it were, Marie had compelled this remarkable man to abjure his cynicism in the line of clothes.  All women, high or low, are filled with delight on seeing a first proof of their power in one of these sudden metamorphoses.  Such changes are an admission of serfdom.

“Those women were right; there is a great pleasure in being understood,” she said to herself, thinking of her treacherous friends.

When the two lovers had gazed around the theatre with that glance that takes in everything, they exchanged a look of intelligence.  It was for each as if some celestial dew had refreshed their hearts, burned-up with expectation.

“I have been here for an hour in purgatory, but now the heavens are opening,” said Raoul’s eyes.

“I knew you were waiting, but how could I help it?” replied those of the countess.

Thieves, spies, lovers, diplomats, and slaves of any kind alone know the resources and comforts of a glance.  They alone know what it contains of meaning, sweetness, thought, anger, villainy, displayed by the modification of that ray of light which conveys the soul.  Between the box of the Comtesse Felix de Vandenesse and the step on which Raoul had perched there were barely thirty feet; and yet it was impossible to wipe out that distance.  To a fiery being, who had hitherto known no space between his wishes and their gratification, this imaginary but insuperable gulf inspired a mad desire to spring to the countess with the bound of a tiger.  In a species of rage he determined to try the ground and bow openly to the countess.  She returned the bow with one of those slight inclinations of the head with which women take from their adorers all desire to continue their attempt.  Comte Felix turned round to see who had bowed to his wife; he saw Nathan, but did not bow, and seemed to inquire the meaning of such audacity; then he turned back slowly and said a few words to his wife.  Evidently the door of that box was closed to Nathan, who cast a terrible look of hatred upon Felix.

Madame d’Espard had seen the whole thing from her box, which was just above where Raoul was standing.  She raised her voice in crying bravo to some singer, which caused Nathan to look up to her; he bowed and received in return a gracious smile which seemed to say:—­

“If they won’t admit you there come here to me.”

Raoul obeyed the silent summons and went to her box.  He felt the need of showing himself in a place which might teach that little Vandenesse that fame was every whit as good as nobility, and that all doors turned on their hinges to admit him.  The marquise made him sit in front of her.  She wanted to question him.

“Madame Felix de Vandenesse is fascinating in that gown,” she said, complimenting the dress as if it were a book he had published the day before.

“Yes,” said Raoul, indifferently, “marabouts are very becoming to her; but she seems wedded to them; she wore them on Saturday,” he added, in a careless tone, as if to repudiate the intimacy Madame d’Espard was fastening upon him.