"It is very good of you," Douglas replied. "I will come, of course, with pleasure."
"At eight o'clock," she said, gathering up her skirts into her hand.
"Now, good-by, young people."
She nodded pleasantly and turned away. Douglas took the lamp and hurried to the door.
"You will let me see you to your carriage," he said.
"Cissy, I shall only be a moment. Do you mind the darkness?"
She answered him blithely. The Countess laid her delicate fingers upon his arm, and held up her skirts till he could see her shapely feet with diamond buckles carefully feeling for each stair.
"My friend," she exclaimed, "what ill taste you have shown. You are abominably lodged."
"I am not a chooser," he answered; "but at least here I can pay my way."
She laughed at him.
"Bourgeois."