A few moments’ drive through the narrow streets brought them up to the fine hotel.
Their rooms were ready, so that there was but little delay before they found themselves in possession of them—handsome rooms they were, on the second floor, fronting the street, very elegantly furnished—“chiefly with gilded mirrors,” as the baroness laughingly observed. But there were also luxurious lounges and reclining chairs, downy cushions and hassocks, and soft rugs, graceful draperies before doors as well as before windows, and, in fact, all the refinements of modern upholstery, better understood by the French than by any other people.
Monsieur Le Grange had ordered the breakfast, which was soon served in madame’s small salon.
The two ladies had just time to lay off their bonnets and wraps, before it was placed on the table, served in silver and Sevres china by the most obsequious of garçons. The dainty new dishes, the delicate rolls, the exquisite coffee, and the rare light wines of the French breakfast, were all novelties in the experience of Lilith, and greatly enjoyed by her.
When the breakfast was over, the two ladies put on their bonnets, and took the carriage that had been engaged by Monsieur Le Grange, and, with him for their cicerone, drove around the city to whatever they considered worth looking at.
They visited the old churches of Notre Dame and St. Francis, and the ancient tower of Franart. They drove out to the picturesque suburbs of Ingouville and Graville l’Heure, lunched at the little café in the last mentioned place, and finally returned to their hotel in time for late dinner.
That evening, after Monsieur Le Grange had bidden them good-night, Madame Von Bruyin and Lilith had a final talk on the question of her—Lilith—returning to New York or traveling over Europe with the baroness.
The prospect of varied travel in company with her charming friend had great attractions for Lilith, certainly, so that when the baroness put it to her heart and conscience not to break the compact she had made with so fond a friend, Lilith not only yielded the point and consented to remain with the baroness, but she did so with evident pleasure.
Madame Von Bruyin kissed her ardently to seal the bargain, and they retired to bed in their adjoining alcoves.
Early the next morning the whole party commenced their continental tour by taking the railway train to Paris.