"I knew you did not wish to be disturbed, but as her ladyship herself"----
"Who?"
"Her ladyship is here herself, and wishes"----
The man had no time to finish. To his astonishment, his master tore the door from his hand and hurried past him into the ante-room. There he saw his wife, apparently waiting; in an instant he was at her side.
"You have yourself announced? What unnecessary etiquette!"
"You wished to see no one, I hear, and Frank told me the order applied to every one without exception."
"Arthur frowned, and turned to the servant, who said apologetically,
"I really did not know what to do. It is the first time my lady has come here."
He stammered these words in his confusion, meaning them as an excuse and nothing more, but Eugénie turned quickly away, and the reprimand on her husband's lips remained unspoken.
The man was right after all; he had received no instructions for such an exceptional case as that of his mistress paying a visit to his master's room. It was truly the first time she had been there. Hitherto, they had only met in her boudoir, at table, or in the drawing-rooms. The present visit might well create surprise among the servants.