the circle. "We want an
OEdipus."

"Oh, come, Countess," said young Montjoie, "don't hang us up like this.
We are all of us on pins and needles, don't you know? It all began about
you singing. Why don't you sing? All the fellows say it's as good as
Grisi. I never heard Grisi, but I know every note Patti's got in her
voice; and I want to compare, don't you know?"

The Contessa contemplated the young man with a sort of indulgent smile
like a mother who withholds a toy.

"When are you going away?" she said. "You will soon go back to your dear
London, to your clubs and all your delights."

"Oh, come, Countess," repeated Montjoie, "that isn't kind. You talk as
if you wanted to get rid of a fellow. I'm due at the Duke's on Friday,
don't you know?"

"Then it shall be on Thursday," said the Contessa, with a laugh.

"What shall be on Thursday?"

The others all came round her with eager questions.

"I am going on Wednesday," said one. "What is this that is going to
happen?"

"And why am I to be excluded?"

"And I? If there is to be anything new, tell us what it is."

"Inquisitors! and they say that curiosity belongs to women," said the
Contessa. "Messieurs, if I were to tell you what it was, it would be no
longer new."

"Well, but hang it all," cried young Montjoie, who was excited and had
forgotten his manners, "do tell us what it is. Don't you see we don't
even know what kind of thing you mean? If it's music----"

Madame di Forno-Populo laughed once more. She loved to mystify and raise
expectations. "It is not music," she said. "It is my reason for
withdrawing. When you see that, you will understand. You will all say
the Contessa is wise. She has foreseen exactly the right moment to
retire."

And with this she rose from the sofa with a sudden movement which took
her attendants by surprise. She was not given to shaking hands. She
withdrew quickly from Montjoie's effort to seize her delicate fingers,
which she waved to the company in general. "My Lucy," she said, "I have
kept you waiting! to this extent does one forget one's self in your
delightful house. But, my angel, you should not permit me to do it. You
should hold up your finger, and I would obey."

"Bravo," said Montjoie's voice behind their backs in a murmur of
delight. "Oh, by Jove, isn't that good? Fancy, a woman like her, and
that simple----"

One of the elder men gave Montjoie something like a kick, inappropriate
as the scene was for such a demon