derstand--I was reading just
now in this paper--words are no longer necessary--you should have told
your name at once--yes, you need me; yes, you shall have your dress;
yes, I want to divide your success with you."

M. Arthur called:

"Mademoiselle Blanche, come here at once! Mademoiselle Blanche!"

And turning towards Mme. Derline, he said:

"She has great talent, but I shall myself superintend it; so be
easy--yes, I myself."

Mme. Derline was a little confused, a little embarrassed by her glory,
but happy nevertheless. Mademoiselle Blanche came forward.

"Conduct madame," said M. Arthur, "and take the necessary measures for a
ball-dress, very low, and with absolutely bare arms. During that time,
madame, I am going to think seriously of what I can do for you. It must
be something entirely new--ah! before going, permit me--"

He walked very slowly around Mme. Derline, and examined her with
profound attention; then he walked away, and considered her from a
little distance. His face was serious, thoughtful, and anxious. A great
thinker wrestling with a great problem. He passed his hand over his
forehead, raised his eyes to the sky, getting inspiration by a painful
delivery; but suddenly his face lit up--the spirit from above had
answered.

"Go, madame," he said, "go. Your dress is thought out. When you come
back, mademoiselle, bring me that piece of pink satin; you know, the one
that I was keeping for some great occasion."

Thus Mme. Derline found herself with Mademoiselle Blanche in a trying-on
room, which was a sort of little cabin lined with mirrors. A quarter of
an hour later, when the measures had been taken, Mme. Derline came back
and discovered M. Arthur in the midst of pieces of satin of all colors,
of crepes, of tulles, of laces, and of brocaded stuffs.

"No, no, not the pink satin," he said to Mademoiselle Blanche, who was
bringing the asked-for piece; "no, I have found something better. Listen
to me. This is what I wish: I have given up the pink, and I have decided
on this, this peach-colored satin. A classic robe, outlining all the
fine lines and showing the suppleness of the body. This robe must be
very clinging--hardly any underskirts. It must be of surah. Madame must
be melted into it--do you thoroughly understand?--absolutely melted
into the robe. We will drop over the dress this crepe--yes, that one,
but in small, light pleats. The crepe will be as a cloud thrown over the
dress--a transparent,