"Can we not have the pleasure of seeing her for a few moments, when her toilet is completed?" inquired Maurice.
"Ah, there it is! When her toilet is completed? Will it be completed in time for her to reach the senate at the hour proposed? Monsieur will pardon me, but I have not a moment to spare."
Turning to Patrick, she added, "I am forced to go out to purchase some ribbons. I have left madame in the hands of Antoinette. Madame is in such a state that one might weep to see her! Take care not to admit any one, except the Countess Orlowski, who accompanies your mistress to the senate. I will be back presently."
The Countess de Gramont rose up majestically.
"Let us depart, my son! Never more will I cross this threshold,—never enter this house where I have been insulted!"
"No insult was intended," replied Count Tristan, nervously. "Even if it were, we are not in a position to be cognizant of insults; we should be forced to ignore them. I cannot leave without entreating the marchioness to deliver this letter to Monsieur de Fleury, herself: it must be done,—and to-day. There is not an instant to lose."
"And you can stoop so low,—you can demean yourself to such a degree? What a humiliation!"
"Humiliations are not to be taken into consideration where ruin stares us in the face!" he answered, violently.
"Is it so very important?" inquired Bertha, struck by the count's angry manner.