It is true she looked so beautiful as she moved towards the apartment, resting on the arm of her attendant, that every one bent before her. She was dressed in a most elegant riding-habit, fitting tightly over the arms and bust, and ornamented with silk braiding. For fear of the cold air of the mountains, she wore round her neck a beautiful sable boa, purchased by the Prince Carini of a Maltese merchant who had brought it from Constantinople. On her head she wore a little black velvet hat, of a fanciful shape, like the head-dresses worn in the middle ages; and her long and magnificent tresses hung down in ringlets after the English fashion. But, prepared as she was to find a room ready to receive her, she could not avoid being astonished when she entered at the elegant manner in which the traveller had concealed the poor appearance of the apartment.
All the utensils of the toilet were of silver, the cloth that covered the table was of the finest texture, and the oriental perfumes burning on the mantelpiece seemed fit for a harem.
“See, Gidsa, am I not predestined?” said the countess; “an awkward servant shoes my horses badly, I am obliged to stop, and my good genius, who finds me in this state of embarrassment, builds a fairy palace for me on the road.”
“Has madame la comtesse,” said Gidsa, “no suspicion who this good genius may be?”
“Really none,” said the countess.
“It seems to me,” said the waiting-maid, significantly, “that madame la comtesse ought to be able to guess!”
“I swear to you, Gidsa,” said the countess, falling into a chair, “that I am in a state of perfect ignorance. Come, what are your ideas on the subject?”
“My ideas?” said the girl. “Madame, I trust you will pardon me, although my ideas are very natural.”
“Oh! certainly,” replied the countess; “speak as you think.”
“I think,” said the girl, “that perhaps his highness the viceroy, knowing that your ladyship was on the road, had not patience to wait for your arrival, and”—