d into his dressing-room,
and immediately received the countess with an outburst of brutal
invectives--pulling her up and down the ranked regiment of her misdeeds,
as it were. She tried dignity, tried anger, she affected amazement, she
petitioned for the heads of his accusations, and, as nothing stopped him,
she turned to go. Pericles laughed when she had left the room. Irma di
Karski was announced the next minute, and Countess d'Isorella re-appeared
beside her. Irma had a similar greeting. "I am lost," she exclaimed.
"Yes, you are lost," said Pericles; "a word from me, and the back of the
public is humped at you--ha! contessa, you touched Mdlle. Irma's hand?
She is to be on her guard, and never to think she is lost till down she
goes? You are a more experienced woman! I tell you I will have no
nonsense. I am Countess Alessandra Ammiani's friend. You two, you women,
are her enemies. I will ruin you both. You would prevent her singing in
public places--you, Countess d'Isorella, because you do not forgive her
marriage to Count Ammiani; you, Irma, to spite her for her voice. You
would hiss her out of hearing, you two miserable creatures. Not another
soldo for you! Not one! and to-morrow, countess, I will see my lawyer.
Irma, begone, and shriek to your wardrobe! Countess d'Isorella, I have
the extreme honour."

Wilfrid marvelled to hear this titled and lovely woman speaking almost in
tones of humility in reply to such outrageous insolence. She craved a
private interview. Irma was temporarily expelled, and then Violetta
stooped to ask what the Greek's reason for his behaviour could be. She
admitted that it was in his power to ruin her, as far as money went.
"Perhaps a little farther," said Pericles; "say two steps. If one is on a
precipice, two steps count for something." But, what had she done?
Pericles refused to declare it. This set her guessing with a charming
naivete. Pericles called Irma back to assist her in the task, and quitted
them that they might consult together and hit upon the right thing. His
object was to send his valet for Luigi Saracco. He had seen that no truth
could be extracted from these women, save forcibly. Unaware that he had
gone out, Wilfrid listened long enough to hear Irma say, between sobs:
"Oh! I shall throw myself upon his mercy. Oh, Countess d'Isorella, why
did you lead me to think of vengeance! I am lost! He knows everything.
Oh, what is it to me whether she lives with her husband! Let them g