bronzes, stood dumfounded at sight of him, and not knowing how to

stop him, she began with much circumlocution, informing him that M.

Venot, looking utterly beside himself, had been searching for him

since yesterday and that he had already come twice to beg her to

send Monsieur to his house if Monsieur arrived at Madame's before

going home. Muffat listened to her without in the least

understanding the meaning of her recital; then he noticed her

agitation and was seized by a sudden fit of jealousy of which he no