Suzette ran out. Aurélie bolted the door of the boudoir behind her, extinguished the two candles which were burning on the dressing-table, and seeking Coster de Saint-Victor in the darkness, pressed her lips to his forehead, and went out murmuring: "Wait for me." Then she went into the salon from the boudoir just as citizen-general Barras appeared in the door of the dining-room. "And what is this I hear, my beauty," said Barras, "have they been cutting throats under your window?" "Yes, my dear general, and my foolish Suzette did not dare to open the door for you. I had to tell her three times, before she would obey me, she was so fearful lest one of the combatants had come to demand shelter. In vain I told her that it was your ring. I thought I should be obliged to open the door for you myself. But to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit this evening?" "A first representation at the Feydeau this evening; and I will take you if you will go with me." "No, thank you; all this firing and shouting has upset my nerves. I am not well and I prefer to remain at home." "Very well; but as soon as the piece is over I shall come and ask you for some supper." "Ah! you did not let me know in time, and I have nothing to offer you." "Do not worry about that, pretty one; I will pass Garchi's on my way to the theatre and will leave an order for them to send a bisque, a bechamel, a cold pheasant, some shrimps, some ice-cream and fruit--a mere trifle, you perceive." "My dear friend, you had much better let me go to bed. I warn you that I shall be very cross." "I will not prevent your going to bed. You can take supper in bed and be cross as comfortably as possible." "You insist?" "No, I implore. You know, madame, that you are sole mistress here, and that you have but to order, and that I, as the first of your servants, will obey." "Oh! can I refuse a man who speaks like that? Go to the theatre, my lord, and your humble servant will await your return." "My dear Aurélie, you are simply adorable, and I do not see why I have not had bars put at your windows like those of Rosine." "What would be the good! You are the Count of Almaviva." "There is no Cherubino hidden in your boudoir?" "I will not say 'Here is the key,' but 'It is in the door.'" "Well, see how magnanimous I am; if he is there I am going to give him time to escape. Au revoir, my beautiful goddess of love; expect me in an hour." "Very well. And when you come back you must tell me about the play. I shall like that better than if I had seen it myself." "Certainly, only I do not promise to sing it to you." "When I want to hear singing, my good friend, I will send for Garat." "And let it be said in passing, my dear Aurélie, that I think you send for him rather too often." "Oh! do not be uneasy about that. He is protected by Madame Krüdener. She keeps as close to him as his shadow." "They are putting up a pretty romance between them." "Yes, in action."