first minute she had the delicious sensation
of her success. Throughout the long gallery of the Palmer's house it was
a true triumphal march. She advanced with firm and precise step, erect,
and head well held. She appeared to see nothing, to hear nothing, but
how well she saw! how well she felt, the fire of all those eyes on her
shoulders! Around her arose a little murmur of admiration, and never had
music been sweeter to her.

Yes, decidedly, all went well. She was on a fair way to conquer Paris.
And, sure of herself, at each step she became more confident, lighter,
and bolder, as she advanced on Palmer's arm, who, in passing, pointed
out the counts, the marquises, and the dukes. And then Palmer suddenly
said to her:

"I want to present to you one of your greatest admirers, who, the other
night at the opera, spoke of nothing but your beauty; he is the Prince
of Nerins."

She became as red as a cherry. Palmer looked at her and began to laugh.

"Ah, you read the other day in that paper?"

"I read--yes, I read--"

"But where is the prince, where is he? I saw him during the day, and he
was to be here early."

Mme. Derline was not to see the Prince of Nerins that evening. And yet
he had intended to go to the Palmers and preside at the deification of
his lawyeress. He had dined at the club, and had allowed himself to be
dragged off to a first performance at a minor theatre. An operetta of
the regulation type was being played. The principal personage was a
young queen, who was always escorted by the customary four
maids-of-honor.

Three of these young ladies were very well known to first-nighters, as
having already figured in the tableaux of operettas and in groups of
fairies, but the fourth--Oh, the fourth! She was a new one, a tall
brunette of the most striking beauty. The prince made himself remarked
more than all others by his enthusiasm. He completely forgot that he was
to leave after the first act. The play was over very late, and the
prince was still there, having paid no attention to the piece or the
music, having seen nothing but the wonderful brunette, having heard
nothing but the stanza which she had unworthily massacred in the middle
of the second act. And while they were leaving the theatre, the prince
was saying to whoever would listen:

"That brunette! oh, that brunette! She hasn't an equal in any theatre!
She is the most beautiful woman in Paris! The most beautiful!"

It was one o'clock in the mor