“But it’s such a tissue of lies and misrepresentations,” cried Helène in her anger.
“I know; but that’s the way these vile creatures live—by debasing their talents.”
“Oh, it is too terrible. I shall be ashamed to show my face anywhere now.”
“We cannot help ourselves, dear Helène; we must bear up in the hope that the good taste of the Court will leave us free from gossip.” The Princess spoke lightly, but in her heart she was deeply chagrined and distressed.
As for Helène, she could not put the thing out of her mind. It was as if she had been soiled with the mud of the streets. She never, for one moment, believed that Mr. Morton had had anything to do with it. Some enemy of her father’s must have inspired it, she thought. What a cruel thing to do! What degradation of mind to sell itself to such a service!
It was with a breast filled with indignation and pride that Helène attended the gathering in the small reception-room, that afternoon, to take her part in the Christmas-tree ceremony. She stood a little way from the rest as they waited the arrival of “their highnesses.” There was much chattering going on and not a little simpering and giggling among the less reserved women who had evidently come to enjoy themselves. She could not help noticing one particular gentleman who passed as a wit among these light-headed ones and was the centre of a bevy of dames all seemingly delighted at some of his witticisms. And then she heard an ample young countess remark that the Hebe from the Balkans was not interested in cutting them out—she was too much taken up with Mr. Moneybags from America.
Helène turned white and grasped the balustrade of the nearby stairway. She could scarcely stand on her legs and her bosom heaved from her labored breathing.
An elderly lady, a Madame de Martis, had also heard the words and saw the girl’s condition. Quickly stepping up to her, she whispered: “Compose yourself, my dear child, and come with me to the dining-room.”
Helène clutched at the lady’s arm and gave her a pathetic smile.
“Oh, Madame, they have no hearts.” Then recovering herself, she added: “But cost it what it may, I will tell them what I feel. I have borne it so long that I can hold out no longer.”