In the anteroom, however, she took the precaution of giving Zoe an order. “You'll look out for him, and you'll tell him not to make a noise if the other man's still with me.” “But where shall I put him, madame?” “Keep him in the kitchen. It's more safe.” In the room inside Muffat was already taking off his overcoat. A big fire was burning on the hearth. It was the same room as of old, with its rosewood furniture and its hangings and chair coverings of figured damask with the large blue flowers on a gray background. On two occasions Nana had thought of having it redone, the first in black velvet, the second in white satin with bows, but directly Steiner consented she demanded the money that these changes would cost simply with a view to pillaging him. She had, indeed, only indulged in a

