With one hand she was supporting Leilah, with the other she gesticulated at Marguerite who, hurriedly from the mantel, fetched a vinaigrette which Ernestine then took and sniffed at.
“She’s coming to,” said the assistant.
Ernestine waved the vinaigrette. “The gods be praised!”
For Leilah now had opened her eyes. Wearily she looked about, straightened herself and sighed.
“I must have fainted.”
“It is nothing madame,” Ernestine anxiously protested. “Truly nothing and yet so modish. Yesterday the Princesse de Solférino fainted. The day before it was the turn of the young Duchesse de Malakoff. Such a good augury for these ladies! Like them madame is perhaps——”
But Leilah now was making an effort to rise.
Abandoning the vinaigrette Ernestine aided her.
“Madame will perhaps wish the fitting postponed. Yes, is it not? It might further fatigue madame. To-morrow—no, to-morrow I regret but in the afternoon I have three appointments and in the morning there is the trousseau of Miss Smith of New York who is to marry an English lord. Marguerite!” she interrupted herself to exclaim. “The costume of madame!”