"I told you, Irène," he continued impatiently, "that I would speak to Mlle. d'Aumont to-night, and if possible obtain a definite promise from her."
"And have you obtained that definite promise?" she asked.
"Yes."
"Lydie d'Aumont promised you that you should be the new State-appointed Minister of Finance?" she insisted.
"Yes! I have her word."
"And—what was the cost?"
"The cost?"
"Yes, the cost," she said, with what was obviously enforced calm. "Lydie d'Aumont did not give you that promise for nothing; you gave her or promised her something in return. What was it?"
Her lips were trembling, and she had some difficulty in preventing her nervous fingers from breaking into pieces the delicate mother-of-pearl fan which they held. But she was determined to appear perfectly calm, and that he should in no way suspect her of working up to a vulgar scene of jealousy.
"You are foolish, Irène!" he said, with his characteristic nonchalant shrug of the shoulders.