's ball.

"Ah, Mademoiselle Melanie," said she, as Madeleine entered; "you will
sympathize with me. I have never had such a mortification before. I knew
Madame de Fleury's enmity, but I could not believe her so cruel, so
_inhuman_. She is thoroughly devoid of feeling, and has determined to
leave me out of her invitations. I actually induced the Russian
ambassadress, with whom she is very intimate, to intercede for me. I
have just seen Madame Orlowski, and she tells me Madame de Fleury
refused point blank. She resisted Madame Orlowski's most urgent
entreaties, and will not yield to any one; I have no longer any hope. I
shall be excluded from this ball, of which all Washington is talking.
How am I to survive such a slight?"

"It, however, may still be possible," said Madeleine, smilingly, "to
obtain you an invitation."

"You think so? You really think so?" cried Mrs. Gilmer, in joyful
surprise. "Do not raise my hopes to the highest pitch to cast them down
again unless you want to make me ill for a month. Who could have the
power to obtain me an invitation after the Russian ambassadress has been
refused?"

"It sounds very presumptuous to say so, but _I_ may have."

"_You?_ My dear Mademoiselle Melanie,--_you?_ I can well believe it.
Madame de Fleury adores you; she owes all her success to you. Oh, I know
it, well enough, though you may pretend to be ignorant of what you have
done for her. And you seriously think you can get me this invitation?
You will positively make the effort?"

"I will use my best endeavors, and I am pretty sure I shall succeed; but
it is to be the return for a favor which I desire you to grant me."

"A favor? You can ask none that I will not grant in return for this
invitation," replied Mrs. Gilmer, eagerly.

Madeleine could scarcely repress a smile, tinged with a slightly
scornful expression.

"You American ladies are said to be all-powerful with your husbands;
you, no doubt, have great influence with Mr. Gilmer?"

"I fancy I have," said Mrs. Gilmer, tossing her graceful head. "I
arrange matters so as to have him in my power. I know his weak points,
and I make it a rule to play upon them until I obtain everything I
desire. Just at this moment, he is in a particularly favorable state: he
is frantically jealous; though, between ourselves, I never give him real
cause. I only excite his jealousy to use it as a valuable weapon against
himself. Tell me quickly what favor you desire."

"Mr. Gi