Thereupon Mme Lerat detained the young woman in the bedroom, while Louiset installed himself behind the charwoman in the kitchen in order to watch a chicken being roasted.  If, said Mme Lerat, she permitted herself to say what was in her mind, it was because Zoe had just been at her house.  Zoe had stayed courageously in the breach because she was devoted to her mistress.  Madame would pay her later on; she was in no anxiety about that!  And amid the breakup of the Boulevard Haussmann establishment it was she who showed the creditors a bold front; it was she who conducted a dignified retreat, saving what she could from the wreck and telling everyone that her mistress was traveling.  She never once gave them her address.  Nay, through fear of being followed, she even deprived herself of the pleasure of calling on Madame.  Nevertheless, that same morning she had run round to Mme Lerat’s because matters were taking a new turn.  The evening before creditors in the persons of the upholsterer, the charcoal merchant and the laundress had put in an appearance and had offered to give Madame an extension of time.  Nay, they had even proposed to advance Madame a very considerable amount if only Madame would return to her flat and conduct herself like a sensible person.  The aunt repeated Zoe’s words.  Without doubt there was a gentleman behind it all.

“I’ll never consent!” declared Nana in great disgust.  “Ah, they’re a pretty lot those tradesmen!  Do they think I’m to be sold so that they can get their bills paid?  Why, look here, I’d rather die of hunger than deceive Fontan.”

“That’s what I said,” averred Mme Lerat. “‘My niece,’ I said, ’is too noble-hearted!’”

Nana, however, was much vexed to learn that La Mignotte was being sold and that Labordette was buying it for Caroline Hequet at an absurdly low price.  It made her angry with that clique.  Oh, they were a regular cheap lot, in spite of their airs and graces!  Yes, by Jove, she was worth more than the whole lot of them!

“They can have their little joke out,” she concluded, “but money will never give them true happiness!  Besides, you know, Aunt, I don’t even know now whether all that set are alive or not.  I’m much too happy.”

At that very moment Mme Maloir entered, wearing one of those hats of which she alone understood the shape.  It was delightful meeting again.  Mme Maloir explained that magnificence frightened her and that now, from time to time, she would come back for her game of bezique.  A second visit was paid to the different rooms in the lodgings, and in the kitchen Nana talked of economy in the presence of the charwoman, who was basting the fowl, and said that a servant would have cost too much and that she was herself desirous of looking after things.  Louiset was gazing beatifically at the roasting process.

But presently there was a loud outburst of voices.  Fontan had come in with Bosc and Prulliere, and the company could now sit down to table.  The soup had been already served when Nana for the third time showed off the lodgings.