retems_? Never before has Mademoiselle Melanie allowed a dress to
issue from her hands which did not fit _a merveille_, and there are two
important alterations to be made in this before it can be worn. Madame
is in despair; she will go out of her senses; it will give her a brain
fever!"

"Can we not have the pleasure of seeing her for a few moments, when her
toilet is completed?" inquired Maurice.

"Ah, there it is! _When_ her toilet is completed? Will it be completed
in time for her to reach the senate at the hour proposed? Monsieur will
pardon me, but I have not a moment to spare."

Turning to Patrick, she added, "I am forced to go out to purchase some
ribbons. I have left madame in the hands of Antoinette. Madame is in
such a state that one might weep to see her! Take care not to admit any
one, except the Countess Orlowski, who accompanies your mistress to the
senate. I will be back presently."

The Countess de Gramont rose up majestically.

"Let us depart, my son! Never more will I cross this threshold,--never
enter this house where I have been insulted!"

"No insult was intended," replied Count Tristan, nervously. "Even if it
were, we are not in a position to be cognizant of insults; we should be
forced to ignore them. I cannot leave without entreating the marchioness
to deliver this letter to Monsieur de Fleury, herself: it _must_ be
done,--and _to-day_. There is not an instant to lose."

"And you can stoop so low,--you can demean yourself to such a degree?
What a humiliation!"

"Humiliations are not to be taken into consideration where _ruin_ stares
us in the face!" he answered, violently.

"Is it _so very important_?" inquired Bertha, struck by the count's
angry manner.

"Of more importance than I can explain to you!"

"Oh, then let us stay, aunt! We must make allowances for Madame de
Fleury's ruling passion. Her toilet first, all the world afterward!"

A carriage just then drove to the door, and attracted the attention of
Bertha, who was standing by the open window.

"What magnificent horses! and what a neat equipage! All the appointments
in such admirable taste! A lady is descending. I suppose it must be the
Countess Orlowski. What a dignified air she has! What a graceful
bearing! I wish I could see her face. She must be handsome with such a
perfect figure. Yes,--I am right,--it _is_ the Countess Orlowski, for
the servant has admitted her."

As the lady was passing through the hall, she said t