XV

He had declared at first that he would not go to the governor’s entertainment, and that he would never more set foot in the house of that dirty Jew. For two months Madame Walter had been writing to him daily, begging him to come, to make an appointment with her whenever he liked, in order, she said, that she might hand over the seventy thousand francs she had gained for him. He did not reply, and threw these despairing letters into the fire. Not that he had renounced receiving his share of their profits, but he wanted to madden her, to treat her with contempt, to trample her under feet. She was too rich. He wanted to show his pride. The very day of the exhibition of the picture, as Madeleine pointed out to him that he was very wrong not to go, he replied: “Hold your tongue. I shall stay at home.”

Then after dinner he suddenly said: “It will be better after all to undergo this affliction. Get dressed at once.”

She was expecting this, and said: “I will be ready in a quarter of an hour.” He dressed growling, and even in the cab he continued to spit out his spleen.

The courtyard of the Carlsbourg mansion was lit up by four electric lights, looking like four small bluish moons, one at each corner. A splendid carpet was laid down the high flight of steps, on each of which a footman in livery stood motionless as a statue.

Du Roy muttered: “Here’s a fine show-off for you,” and shrugged his shoulders, his heart contracted by jealousy.

His wife said: “Be quiet and do likewise.”

They went in and handed their heavy outer garments to the footmen who advanced to meet them. Several ladies were also there with their husbands, freeing themselves from their furs. Murmurs of: “It is very beautiful, very beautiful,” could be heard. The immense entrance hall