'No, mademoiselle. I want you to be my friend.' D'Avaux said this simply and almost sadly, and it caught Eliza up short. In that moment, d'Avaux spun smartly on the balls of his feet and trapped Eliza's arm. She had little choice but to walk with him – and soon it became obvious that they were walking directly towards Étienne d'Arcachon. In the dimmest and smokiest corner of the room, meanwhile, Mr. Sluys kept laughing and laughing.