ccomplish the work. Four
o'clock: it _is_ just possible that I have promised too much,--that is,
if we lose many minutes. Have you decided to write me the invitation?"

"You do not give me time for reflection," said Madame de Fleury,
hesitating.

"You scarcely give _me_ time," returned Madeleine, "to perform what I
have promised; the moments are precious."

"You are sure the dress can be completed if--if I give you this
invitation?"

"Yes, madame, if it be given _at once_. See," pointing to the clock,
"five minutes have flown already, and in every moment we are to do the
work of an hour. There is the pen."

Madame de Fleury took it reluctantly.

"That detestable Mrs. Gilmer will triumph so much!"

"You triumph in having obtained the dress that was refused to her, and
has been refused to many others. But time flies, and I shall not be
able, with all the magical aid for which I am given credit, to keep my
word. Victorine, while Madame de Fleury is writing, apprise the young
ladies to put by, as rapidly as possible, all other work, and be ready
to take in hand that which I will give them directly. We want our whole
force; let me find every one prepared to aid."

Victorine left the room to execute these orders.

Madame de Fleury seated herself and dipped the pen in ink.

"If you knew what it costs me to consent," she began.

"If I did _not_ know," rejoined Madeleine, "I should not have offered to
make a sacrifice of so much importance. A few moments more and it will
be too late to decide,--your consent will be of no avail."

"Ah, that is true," cried Madame de Fleury, writing rapidly.

She left the note unfolded on the desk, and, as she rose, said in a tone
of ludicrously mingled petulance and elation, "You have conquered! But I
shall have my dress!"

"Be sure of it!" answered Madeleine.

Victorine now announced that all other work had been laid aside, and the
young ladies awaited Mademoiselle Melanie's commands.

"Go--go--go! or you will be too late!" urged Madame de Fleury, hurrying
away.

Madeleine hastened to the work-room, and distributed portions of the
dress to different needle-women. After giving a number of minute
directions, and making known that she would return in a couple of hours
to see what progress was made, she retired to write to Mrs. Gilmer.

CHAPTER XXX.

BERTHA.

If Madeleine had been asked which of her relatives would first have
sought her after the unexpected _rencont