himself in drawing a profit from the general and
daily increasing confusion, and save something from the wreck which
would inevitably ensue. The baron, with pretentious unconcern, dazzled
by his unusual honors, permitted his business affairs to take their
course with smiling unconcern, and when unsuccessful, to hide the
mistakes of the banker under the pomp of the baron.

Marie, indulging in the style of a great lady, appeared not to notice
or trouble herself at all about these things. She entertained most
luxuriantly, and spent enormous sums upon her toilet, changed the costly
livery of her numerous retinue of servants every month, as well as the
furniture of the drawing-rooms; and presented with generous liberality
her superfluous ornaments, dresses, and furniture to her dear high-born
friends, who greedily accepted them, and were overflowing in their
tender protestations and gratitude, whilst they in secret revolted at
the presumption of the arrogant woman, who permitted herself to send
them her cast-off things.

They rejoiced to receive them, however, and reappeared in her splendid
drawing-rooms, enduring the pride and neglect of the baroness, and
calling her their dear friend, whom they in secret envied and hated.

Did Marie know this, or did she let herself be deceived by these
friendly protestations? Occasionally, when her friends embraced and
kissed her, a languid smile flitted over her haughty face; and once as
she wandered through the suite of rooms, awaiting her guests, she caught
the reflection of a beautiful woman in the costly Venetian mirrors,
sparkling with diamonds and wearing a silver-embroidered dress with a
train. She gazed at this woman with an expression of ineffable scorn,
and whispered to her: "Suffer yet awhile, you shall soon be released.
This miserable trash will disappear. Only be firm--I hear already the
cracking of the house which will soon fall a wreck at your feet!"

Others heard it also. As preparations were being made for a grand
dinner, with which the Baron and Baroness von Ebenstreit would close the
season, the former head bookkeeper of the baron appeared at the palace,
demanding, with anxious mien, to see the principal.

Just at the moment the baron and his wife were in the large
reception-room, which the decorator was splendidly arranging, under the
direction of the baroness, with flowers, festoons, columns, and statues.
Ebenstreit was watching admiringly the tasteful and costly