to be touched.  Did people take them for light women?  Gaga, in the meantime, had once more caught La Faloise and had almost hoisted him upon her knees while Clarisse was disappearing from view between two gentlemen, shaking with nervous laughter as women will when they are tickled.  Round about the piano they were still busy with their little game, for they were suffering from a fit of stupid imbecility, which caused each man to jostle his fellow in his frantic desire to empty his bottle into the instrument.  It was a simple process and a charming one.

“Now then, old boy, drink a glass!  Devil take it, he’s a thirsty piano!  Hi!  ’Tenshun!  Here’s another bottle!  You mustn’t lose a drop!”

Nana’s back was turned, and she did not see them.  Emphatically she was now falling back on the bulky Steiner, who was seated next to her.  So much the worse!  It was all on account of that Muffat, who had refused what was offered him.  Sitting there in her white foulard dress, which was as light and full of folds as a shift, sitting there with drooped eyelids and cheeks pale with the touch of intoxication from which she was suffering, she offered herself to him with that quiet expression which is peculiar to a good-natured courtesan.  The roses in her hair and at her throat had lost their leaves, and their stalks alone remained.  Presently Steiner withdrew his hand quickly from the folds of her skirt, where he had come in contact with the pins that Georges had stuck there.  Some drops of blood appeared on his fingers, and one fell on Nana’s dress and stained it.

“Now the bargain’s struck,” said Nana gravely.

The day was breaking apace.  An uncertain glimmer of light, fraught with a poignant melancholy, came stealing through the windows.  And with that the guests began to take their departure.  It was a most sour and uncomfortable retreat.  Caroline Hequet, annoyed at the loss of her night, announced that it was high time to be off unless you were anxious to assist at some pretty scenes.  Rose pouted as if her womanly character had been compromised.  It was always so with these girls; they didn’t know how to behave and were guilty of disgusting conduct when they made their first appearance in society!  And Mignon having cleaned Vandeuvres out completely, the family took their departure.  They did not trouble about Steiner but renewed their invitation for tomorrow to Fauchery.  Lucy thereupon refused the journalist’s escort home and sent him back shrilly to his “strolling actress.”  At this Rose turned round immediately and hissed out a “Dirty sow” by way of answer.  But Mignon, who in feminine quarrels was always paternal, for his experience was a long one and rendered him superior to them, had already pushed her out of the house, telling her at the same time to have done.  Lucy came downstairs in solitary state behind them.  After which Gaga had to carry off La Faloise, ill, sobbing like a child, calling after Clarisse, who had long since gone off with her two gentlemen.  Simonne, too, had vanished.  Indeed, none remained save Tatan, Lea and Maria, whom Labordette complaisantly took under his charge.