Marcel Proust: A Biography

THE STUDENT IN SOCIETY 81
the Left Bank they talked of more important subjects, of meta-
physics and the symholist movement and the Russian novel and
Ibsen. In these conversations, Billy rememhered, Proust made
cunning use of the Socratic method of questioning, which he had
learned from Darlu, and so induced his friends to utter truths
which they were unaware of knowing.
Meanwhile he never missed the 'dancing-lesson' which Mme
Pouquet held every week, at ten in the evening, in her house at
62 Rue de Miromesnil. In fact there was neither dancing-master
nor lesson; but their hostess felt it was important not to call it
a soiree, as none of the girls there was old enough to 'come out'.
He arrived when everyone was leaving, for he only wanted to see
Jeanne, and persuade the willing Gaston to stay; and then they
talked with Jeanne and her mother, untilM. Pouquet appeared,
in an affable rage, and asked "Are you going to bed to-day or
to-morrow?" "But, Papa, it's past midnight, so we're certain to
go to bed to-day," said Jeanne. M. Pouquet showed the wooers
the door with "Now then, young fellows, it's time you were
leaving," and old Louis, the alcoholic butler, would grumhle:
"Monsieur ought to turn them out earlier; he doesn't realise that
these young people can stay in bed till nine, but we servants have
to be up with the sun." Proust was delighted with Louis's con-
versation, and gave him stupendous tips; but the old man would
say: "He's a nice lad enough, only he doesn't know his place. He's
always hanging round MIle Jeanne, and Madame doesn't notice
anything-but M. Gaston can see what's going on:' When
Proust was invited to tea he would arrive early for a talk with
Fifine, the chamher-maid, whom he admired because she refused
to steal one of the coveted photographs of Jeanne for him. When
the ladies arrived home they were told: "Monsieur Marcel's been
here for hours." "Why, where is he?" "In the linen-room with
Fifine!".
That winter Gaston, who was to become one of the most
popular writers of light comedy of his generation, devised a little
revue to be performed by their friends. Jeanne appeared as
Cleopatra and as a concierge; and a photograph survives of her
in the latter role, wearing a loud gown and a huge feathered
bonnet, round-faced, thick-lipped and eager in a pathetic moment
of time lost. Proust was given the important role of prompter,
but at the dress rehearsal he was overcome by enthusiasm at the