Chap.

  1        1|         queried. “You know the Count Muffat de Beuville?”~“Oh, for a
  2        1|             respects to the Countess Muffat,” said La Faloise. “Exactly
  3        1|        presented his cousin to Count Muffat de Beuville, who appeared
  4        1|           her box stood the Countess Muffat. Very erect and closely
  5        2|              de Chouard and of Count Muffat de Beuville, which were
  6        2|             de Chouard and the Count Muffat into the dressing room.
  7        2|          insistence,” said the Count Muffat gravely. “We come on a quest.
  8        2|             cadaverous cheeks. Count Muffat, who was on the point of
  9        2|              knew that kind of ring. Muffat looked at him; then they
 10        2|          unclouded glance. The Count Muffat bowed slightly. Despite
 11        3|         become customary to call Mme Muffat de Beuville in order to
 12        3|          suspicions, while the Count Muffat, standing in front of them,
 13        3|        slight nod he indicated Count Muffat, who was just then discussing
 14        3|        really serious topic. Old Mme Muffat then, whom La Faloise had
 15        3|         everybody to her will. As to Muffat, he was an old man’s child;
 16        3|             wheels. It was the Mamma Muffat who had given him this precious
 17        3|           the damps of years. It was Muffat who made himself felt there,
 18        3|        deserted at last by the Count Muffat and the deputy, came up
 19        3|           not in Paris?” asked Count Muffat.~“Dear me, no!” replied
 20        3|     motionless in corners. The Count Muffat attracted to the house a
 21        3|             the hushed step of Count Muffat was alone audible as he
 22        3|          continued, addressing Count Muffat.~The last–named, whose face
 23        3|           from the count.”~The Count Muffat was talking to his father–
 24        3|              accepting had not Count Muffat perceived M. Venot’s gaze
 25        3|          Leonide de Chezelles. Count Muffat and the Marquis de Chouard
 26        3|             fortunately,” said Count Muffat in his grave, official way.~
 27        4|             of tale to explain Count Muffat’s refusal.~Seeing the young
 28        4|            into her service at Count Muffat’s. Nana thanked him. That
 29        4|            be at one of the Countess Muffat’s receptions. That very
 30        4|             if that ninny of a Count Muffat were really to treat her
 31        4|       Fauchery had not put the Count Muffat off coming! A regular snake
 32        4|          with a hope of seeing Count Muffat enter her room among all
 33        4|           was all on account of that Muffat, who had refused what was
 34        5|      splendid whiskers!”~“It’s Count Muffat,” replied Fauchery. “I know
 35        5|         afterward!”~“So that’s Count Muffat! We know his father–in–law,
 36        5|              Behind him walked Count Muffat and the Marquis de Chouard,
 37        5|           with a wide beam of light. Muffat, who had never yet been
 38        5|          deigns to follow me—”~Count Muffat was already making for the
 39        5|            the prince to follow him. Muffat was beginning to perspire;
 40        5|              up her mind. Then Count Muffat, with glowing cheeks, began
 41        5|            seemed to recognize Count Muffat, and she extended her hand
 42        5|            Highness deigned to chaff Muffat about this, and the latter
 43        5|             the commotion within him Muffat could only remark about
 44        5|          Then he drank it off. Count Muffat and the Marquis de Chouard
 45        5|      champagne. The prince and Count Muffat, between whom Nana was wedged,
 46        5|              on the divan, and Count Muffat alone remained standing.
 47        5|            respectful silence.~Count Muffat, indeed, had not yet opened
 48        5|              never seen the Countess Muffat putting on her garters,
 49        5|             at him so comically that Muffat felt a keen twinge of annoyance.
 50        5|         along between her eyelashes. Muffat stood behind her, looking
 51        5|           carmine on her lips. Count Muffat felt more excited than ever.
 52        5|              his head involuntarily. Muffat gazed at the carpet in order
 53        5|           awaiting her cue. As Count Muffat was coming up in order to
 54        5|             Suddenly, however, Count Muffat obeyed an overmastering
 55        5|            effect was produced. Then Muffat was seized with a desire
 56        5|            sense of languor had left Muffat without any power of resistance,
 57        5|           miserable tenements. Count Muffat had seen many such during
 58        5|            doors. On the third story Muffat abandoned himself to the
 59        5|             is wanting to kiss you.”~Muffat entered the room at last.
 60        5|             up the doorway, she gave Muffat a couple of kisses on the
 61        5|           dress and be off. As Count Muffat came down the last step
 62        5|            And left alone with Nana, Muffat gave way to an impulse of
 63        5|           began following Nana while Muffat and the marquis walked behind.~
 64        5| reconciliation between them at home.~Muffat was left alone on the sidewalk.
 65        5|              Then with brain on fire Muffat decided to walk home. The
 66        6|                     CHAPTER VI~Count Muffat, accompanied by his wife
 67        6|               And Philippe?” queried Muffat.~“Philippe has asked for
 68        6|           nothing about it,” replied Muffat. “Ah, then, Steiner’s bought
 69        6|         appeared to rack his brains. Muffat waited, twirling a teaspoon
 70        6|           rang he listened for Count Muffat, who was on his way to the
 71        6|           afternoon in her rooms, as Muffat, whose advances she still
 72        6|             was disagreeable to him. Muffat and Chouard had exchanged
 73        6|             at the little red place. Muffat, too, looked at Georges.
 74        6|        scarce washed from her cheeks—Muffat was at once the most ardent
 75        6|         soberly.~Nana welcomed Count Muffat, who, though still shaken
 76        6|               It’s Monsieur le Comte Muffat, darling. He saw a light
 77        6|           The two men clasped hands. Muffat, with his face in shadow,
 78        6|       quarter of an hour had elapsed Muffat took his departure, and,
 79        6|              road to Gumieres, Count Muffat walked slowly home and,
 80        6|          lasted nearly a week. Count Muffat used to come every evening
 81        6|               as his wont was, Count Muffat mounted the hill to ring
 82        6|        Fauchery also stayed with the Muffat ladies. On one occasion
 83        6|           old lady spared only Count Muffat and Georges. The count,
 84        6|              each afternoon of Count Muffat. Whenever they went to the
 85        6|             the old man’s arm, Count Muffat reappeared with blanched
 86        6|           headed the column with the Muffat ladies and were followed
 87        6|           Fauchery, Daguenet and the Muffat ladies were forced to step
 88        6|             as he stood behind Count Muffat.~The latter in extreme agitation
 89        6|            leaning silently on Count Muffat’s arm, and so sad was her
 90        6|           wheels.~“It’s the Countess Muffat,” answered Steiner.~“There
 91        6|           extremely plump! But Count Muffat especially was silent and
 92        6|           going upstairs to bed when Muffat put in an appearance. It
 93        6|             by the excessive heat of Muffat’s pursuit. Life was a serious
 94        6|             And she went to bed with Muffat but experienced no pleasure.~
 95        7|         three months afterward Count Muffat was strolling in the Passage
 96        7|              to a yellow cuff.~Count Muffat had slowly returned as far
 97        7|         doorway. For a moment or two Muffat thought of questioning Mme
 98        7|              suddenly it occurred to Muffat that it would be very easy
 99        7|          against his newspaper. Then Muffat walked again and this time
100        7|           very pale when she noticed Muffat.~“Oh, it’s you!” she stammered.~
101        7|        tomorrow, eh?”~“Yes,” replied Muffat. It embarrassed him somewhat
102        7|          failed to bring them. As to Muffat, he was an idiot: he had
103        7|        tasted nothing since morning. Muffat dared not oppose her. Yet
104        7|           private room through which Muffat had vanished.~Both looked.
105        7|              the little saloon where Muffat was waiting.~“Well, good–
106        7|        private room she noticed that Muffat was sitting resignedly on
107        7|            safe.”~In the room inside Muffat was already taking off his
108        7|              turning to look at him. Muffat used to grow angry then,
109        7|           her shift and waiting till Muffat should have done reading,
110        7|            reading, she stood naked. Muffat was reading slowly Fauchery’
111        7|      settling on them in her flight.~Muffat lifted his head; his eyes
112        7|              in the danse du ventre.~Muffat sat looking at her. She
113        7|              elbows to her foot, and Muffat’s eyes followed this tender
114        7|          very odor ruined the world. Muffat gazed and gazed as a man
115        7|          herself in the mirror.~Then Muffat gave a long sigh. This solitary
116        7|             about Fauchery’s article Muffat replied vaguely, for he
117        7|          morning?” she said at last.~Muffat had stretched himself in
118        7|          swear to you I don’t,” said Muffat, dreading a scene.~“And
119        7|       slamming doors became audible. Muffat was surprised, and he questioned
120        7|           another. I know it, I do!”~Muffat was growing pale. At last
121        7|             triumphantly, as she saw Muffat stagger to his feet like
122        7|           the kitchen.~Once outside, Muffat began walking at a furious
123        7|          were merged in yellow mist. Muffat did not move from where
124        7|          from muddy Paris pavements. Muffat had returned into the wide
125        7|            in sulky semiwakefulness. Muffat, however, after knocking
126        7|           leave me or will you not?”~Muffat’s eyes filled with tears.
127        7|               Steiner stopped short. Muffat’s unexpected presence annoyed
128        7|             dull expression of face. Muffat and he exchanged a despairing
129        7|             out with tragic gesture.~Muffat, who hitherto had pocketed
130        7|             directions.~When at last Muffat entered his town house in
131        8|            would be awkward to utter Muffat’s name. Thereupon Francis
132        8|             she who had turned Count Muffat out of doors with a perfect
133        8|       enjoying her conquest of Count Muffat, a flame came into her eyes.~“
134        8|          nothing with me. I get your Muffat ready for you, and you go
135        8|              her fury the thought of Muffat suddenly occurred to her.
136        9|           They were talking of Count Muffat. Labordette had arranged
137        9|          recognized Mignon and Count Muffat. They came forward and silently
138        9|         understood it all forthwith. Muffat was bothering her to death,
139        9|              now. He had drained his Muffat dry, and he knew that at
140        9|             But Bordenave glanced in Muffat’s direction and looked vexed,
141        9|         floor. The door’s not shut.”~Muffat was alone in that silent
142        9|           talk of that affair again, Muffat nodding his assent as Nana
143        9|            to dirty her claws. As to Muffat, he followed her movements
144        9|           her stupid, tiresome wish. Muffat, still smarting from her
145        9|         delicate part of the matter. Muffat sat silent, his eyes fixed
146        9|           spoke as plainly as words. Muffat had raised his eyes to her
147        9|         below in order to kill time.~Muffat went staggering downstairs.
148        9|       however, losing sight of Count Muffat, whose return he had been
149        9|            and silence reigned while Muffat sought how to broach his
150        9|             this had happened he had Muffat well in his grasp. Accordingly
151        9|          keep himself in countenance Muffat had just picked out of the
152        9|              he writhed to get free.~Muffat’s voice became harder.~“
153        9|            the ground with his foot. Muffat seemed busy examining the
154        9|              at all that!”~He walked Muffat round in front of the pigeonholes
155        9|            can be settled,” murmured Muffat in tones of relief; “we
156        9|              looked at the four men. Muffat hung his head; Fauchery
157        9|           thousand. A splendid deal! Muffat was getting rid of her in
158        9|              stage with Fauchery and Muffat, said:~“We’ll sign tomorrow
159        9|             found herself alone with Muffat, she said furiously:~“What
160       10|        artificial originality. Count Muffat had bought the house ready
161       10|           the end of the first month Muffat respected her.~But she desired
162       10|              disgusting particulars. Muffat had grown ashen–pale. There
163       10|              promises of fidelity on Muffat Nana kept the Count Xavier
164       10|            require her to make vows. Muffat suspected nothing. As to
165       10|             waters.~One morning when Muffat had not yet left the bedroom
166       10|              Hugons were there Count Muffat arrived out of hours. But
167       10|         young Hugons, Vandeuvres and Muffat were openly about the house
168       10|   arrangement than the previous one. Muffat alone still abstained discreetly
169       10|             and legs and cause Count Muffat much distress. Bijou was
170       10|            and on such occasions, if Muffat invited her, she would refuse
171       10|             For some time past Count Muffat had appeared suspicious,
172       10|           candor.~“You swear?” asked Muffat, already willing to be comforted.~“
173       10|              remarked simply.~And as Muffat wanted her denial to the
174       10|       customary Thursday dinner, and Muffat, Vandeuvres, the young Hugons
175       10|     necessary to have recourse. When Muffat had himself announced, Francis
176       10|          rich foreigner about Paris. Muffat, however, led him aside
177       10|             repeated.~She had placed Muffat on her right hand and Vandeuvres
178       10|             toyed with his beard and Muffat redoubled his gravity.~“
179       10|          Daddy and Mamma.”~This time Muffat, who was playing with his
180       10|              affair.”~And turning to Muffat, who was watching them with
181       10|          hear your prayer, my dear,” Muffat replied gravely. “To be
182       10|             had accepted Steiner and Muffat and all the rest, felt outraged
183       10|      sustained at the Imperial Club. Muffat, who did not play, expressed
184       10|      important business would oblige Muffat to cede him his place. Soon,
185       10|           count, who were now alone. Muffat, ceasing to be ceremonious,
186       10|             of good advice, and when Muffat abandoned all his usual
187       10|          ever so sorry if—”~But over Muffat’s shoulder she met Satin’
188       10|       uncontrollably as they watched Muffat’s rounded back and glistening
189       11|             was a present from Count Muffat. When she had made her appearance
190       11|         sulking.”~She was talking of Muffat, but she took care not to
191       11|             solemn form of the Count Muffat had appeared behind the
192       11|             Fauchery by the Countess Muffat. And, by Jove, it’s clear
193       11|         imperial stand, the sight of Muffat, looming in all his official
194       12|          filled her with icy horror. Muffat was obliged to accompany
195       12|         after a fresh disappearance, Muffat presented himself in the
196       12|               monsieur,” said Zoe to Muffat. “Madame is much better
197       12|             Zoe, however, introduced Muffat into the bedroom, where
198       12|              murdering both of ‘em.”~Muffat had again sunk down on the
199       12|              anguish had passed over Muffat’s brow. Under the present
200       12|           accounting for them. Twice Muffat ventured to mention this,
201       12|             hundred thousand francs, Muffat had been able to hit on
202       12|                he said familiarly to Muffat, whom he treated as her
203       12|              little ill was serious.~Muffat withdrew, deeply moved.
204       12|             presence of the Countess Muffat, that antique room full
205       12|              smile. Beside her stood Muffat, looking aged and a little
206       12|     Certainly Nana had fubbed off on Muffat one of her old flames as
207       12|        dignity. Scandalized by Count Muffat’s conduct, he had publicly
208       12|              stretched out his hand. Muffat gave him his. Their hands
209       12|          with dusty bric–a–brac. And Muffat was there, eggcup in hand,
210       12|           suspicions. At this moment Muffat was no longer suspicious,
211       12|            the church marriage Count Muffat made his appearance in his
212       12|              the reconciliation, and Muffat, remorseful though he was,
213       13|           the end of September Count Muffat, who was to dine at Nana’
214       13|            into which she had pushed Muffat, the darkness was complete.
215       13|           fifty thousand francs, and Muffat was to give it her as a
216       13|           always spoke thus of Count Muffat, and the gentlemen had ceased
217       13|       quarter of an hour later Count Muffat found her thus, but at sight
218       13|        Madame is utterly miserable!”~Muffat was still stupefied; the
219       13|              the following day Count Muffat had likewise forgotten the
220       13|     continual smile behind doors. So Muffat, wretched at home, driven
221       13|            the men at his head Count Muffat pretended not to know about
222       13|             got to such a pitch that Muffat did not dare to push open
223       13|               who now respected her. Muffat even thought of an alliance
224       13|             At times, however, Count Muffat was still singularly revolted.
225       13|            be ridiculous.”~Each time Muffat heard these words they seemed
226       13|             rascal than the others!”~Muffat had resigned himself to “
227       13|              on their bootsoles. And Muffat, whom the bloodstain preoccupied
228       13|         about the middle of January. Muffat was just then in Normandy,
229       13|          Madame’s before going home. Muffat listened to her without
230       13|        herself.~And on the threshold Muffat uttered a cry at the sight
231       13|          this sort of thing. Ta ta!”~Muffat remained standing before
232       13|           child. From that day forth Muffat belonged to him entirely;
233       14|       escaped them. It was the Count Muffat, and he was giving an upward
234       14|             them all. Without a word Muffat had gone back to the bench,
235       14|            could only make out Count Muffat, who looked like a dark