Read "A Love Episode" by Émile Zola online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
The finger-glasses had been handed round the table, and the ladies were daintily wiping their hands. A momentary silence reigned, while Madame Deberle gazed on either side to see if every one had finished; then, without speaking, she rose, and amidst a noisy pushing back of chairs, her guests followed her example. An old gentleman who had been seated at her right hand hastened to offer her his arm.
"No, no," she murmured, as she led him towards a doorway. "We will now have coffee in the little drawing-room."