"How glad I am that I was able to accomplish something to serve you!" said Madeleine.
"There is much more, I trust, that you will be able to accomplish. The votes of Mr. Gilmer and Mr. Rutledge must be gained,—the only two which it seems possible to obtain; for the other gentlemen are inflexible in their decision. Mrs. Gilmer is one of your customers. I hear that she raves about you; if that is the case, you can do anything with her, and she will manage her husband. Have you no mode of winning her over to our side?"
Madeleine pondered a moment, then answered gayly,—
"Yes, I have at my command one method that is certain,—perfectly certain. Mrs. Gilmer is very desirous of receiving an invitation to Madame de Fleury's ball. The marchioness has left her out on purpose. Mrs. Gilmer has made numerous efforts, but, thus far, unsuccessful ones, to obtain this invitation; if I could secure it for her she would gladly repay me by inducing her husband to vote as you desire."
"Bravo! Bravo! we shall succeed; for you can surely obtain the invitation. Madame de Fleury herself said that she was enchanted at the opportunity of obliging you,—that she could not do too much to show her great consideration."
"Yes; but you can scarcely comprehend the difficulty of persuading her to consent to invite Mrs. Gilmer. She mortally detests her, and I could offer few petitions which she would be less likely to grant. Still, I will use strong arguments,—powerful inducements. I will endeavor to think of some temptation which she cannot resist."
"That is just what I believed you would do, my dear Madeleine," said the count, taking her hand.
Madeleine withdrew it, though not too abruptly. The contact gave her, magnetically, as it were, a painful impression.
"But how," she asked, "is Mr. Rutledge to be reached?"
"Through you,—through you again, my kind, good Madeleine," answered the count, hilariously.