Maurice.  Who—­was—­that?

Mme. Catherine.  Why, that’s Monsieur Adolphe’s friend.

Maurice.  Was—­that—­her?

Mme. Catherine.  Have you never seen her before?

Maurice.  No, he has been hiding her from me, just as if he was afraid I might take her away from him.

Mme. Catherine.  Ha-ha!—­Well, how did you think she looked?

Maurice.  How she looked?  Let me see:  I can’t tell—­I didn’t see her, for it was as if she had rushed straight into my arms at once and come so close to me that I couldn’t make out her features at all.  And she left her impression on the air behind her.  I can still see her standing there. [He goes toward the door and makes a gesture as if putting his arm around somebody] Whew! [He makes a gesture as if he had pricked his finger] There are pins in her waist.  She is of the kind that stings!

Mme. Catherine.  Oh, you are crazy, you with your ladies!

Maurice.  Yes, it’s craziness, that’s what it is.  But do you know, Madame Catherine, I am going before she comes back, or else, or else—­Oh, that woman is horrible!

Mme. Catherine.  Are you afraid?

Maurice.  Yes, I am afraid for myself, and also for some others.

Mme. Catherine.  Well, go then.

Maurice.  She seemed to suck herself out through the door, and in her wake rose a little whirlwind that dragged me along—­Yes, you may laugh, but can’t you see that the palm over there on the buffet is still shaking?  She’s the very devil of a woman!

Mme. Catherine.  Oh, get out of here, man, before you lose all your reason.

Maurice.  I want to go, but I cannot—­Do you believe in fate,
Madame Catherine?

Mme. Catherine.  No, I believe in a good God, who protects us against evil powers if we ask Him in the right way.

Maurice.  So there are evil powers after all!  I think I can hear them in the hallway now.

Mme. Catherine.  Yes, her clothes rustle as when the clerk tears off a piece of linen for you.  Get away now—­through the kitchen.

(Maurice rushes toward the kitchen door, where he bumps into Emile.)

Emile.  I beg your pardon. [He retires the way he came.]

Adolphe. [Comes in first; after him Henriette] Why, there’s Maurice.  How are you?  Let me introduce this lady here to my oldest and best friend.  Mademoiselle Henriette—­Monsieur Maurice.

Maurice. [Saluting stiffly] Pleased to meet you.

Henrietta.  We have seen each other before.

Adolphe.  Is that so?  When, if I may ask?

Maurice.  A moment ago.  Right here.

Adolphe.  O-oh!—­But now you must stay and have a chat with us.