But he refused, having made up his mind to leave at once, wishing to be
alone in order to think. Too many new ideas had entered his mind, and he
began to look for his wife. In a short time he saw her drinking
chocolate at the buffet with two gentlemen unknown to him. She
introduced her husband without mentioning their names to him. After a
few moments, he said, "Shall we go?"
"When you like."
She took his arm, and they walked back through the reception-rooms, in
which the public were growing few. She said: "Where is Madame Walter, I
should like to wish her good-bye?"
"It is better not to. She would try to keep us for the ball, and I have
had enough of this."
"That is so, you are quite right."
All the way home they were silent. But as soon as they were in their
room Madeleine said smilingly, before even taking off her veil. "I have
a surprise for you."