ger awhile. There are
several _salons_ yonder; I will steal off quietly and take refuge where
I can watch who passes."

Lord Linden had hardly disappeared before the marchioness remarked to
Victorine, "You said my dress would be ready in an hour, Mademoiselle
Victorine? I will take a short drive and return in that time. Let
Mademoiselle Melanie know that I particularly wish to have an interview
with her. I must see her about that unfinished dress which certainly
shall not go to New Orleans."

She courtesied once more very profoundly to Mrs. Gilmer and departed,
quite forgetting Lord Linden, who was well pleased not to be missed.

"Mademoiselle Melanie will not be so unjust as to let Madame de Fleury
have that dress after refusing it to me," observed Mrs. Gilmer tartly.
"If she is, I _never more_"--

The threat was nipped in the bud, for she well knew no one could replace
the sovereign modiste, and that the loss of Mrs. Gilmer's custom would
not in the least affect Mademoiselle Melanie, who daily refused a crowd
of applicants.

Recovering herself, the banker's wife concluded by saying, "Madame de
Fleury is to return in an hour; very well; I will call somewhat later to
learn Mademoiselle Melanie's decision. If the dress is not mine it
certainly must not be Madame de Fleury's. We shall see if Mademoiselle
Melanie's boasted justice is found wanting, or if she acts up to her
professions."

M. de Bois conducted Mrs. Gilmer to her carriage, and returned to the
_salon_; for he had an especial reason for desiring to see Madeleine;
but, having called during the hours which she scrupulously devoted to
her vocation, he did not feel at liberty to intrude in her private
apartments.

CHAPTER XXV.

THE MESSAGE.

Shortly after M. de Bois returned to the exhibition _salons_, Madeleine
entered the workroom. Gaston could see her moving about among the young
girls, distributing sketches, making smiling comments upon the
occupation of this one and that; pointing out defects or praising
execution. Every face seemed to brighten when it was turned toward her,
and every countenance wore an unmistakable expression of affection. We
might, perhaps, except that of Mademoiselle Victorine, whose high
opinion of her own abilities made her somewhat jealous of Madeleine's
supremacy. Yet, even she experienced an involuntary reverence for the
head of the establishment, though golden dreams of some day leaping into
her place were ever f