Hereward bowed deprecatingly.
“You remain in Paris some time, I hope?”
“I have a month’s respite from official duties, madame.”
“Then you will, perhaps, kindly permit me to place this house at your disposal during your stay. Mrs. Hereward had already arranged to remain here during my absence. To change that plan at this late hour would not be easy. So, if it would not inconvenience you to take up your quarters here for a season, you would oblige me very much by doing so,” said the princess.
“Madame, it is certainly my wife and myself who are obliged in this matter. We feel your kindness, and thank you very sincerely,” replied Hereward.
“And now, Lilith, dear little sister, will you go with me to my room? It is time to dress for the journey,” said the princess, drawing the arm of her young friend within her own, bowing to the circle, and sailing out of the salon.
When the two friends reached madame’s sumptuous dressing-room they found the lady’s maid waiting with the traveling suit of mouse-colored velvet, plush hat, and marabout plumes of the same shade, and silver fox fur cloak and muff, all laid ready for her mistress.
“Madame,” said Lilith, “I have to thank you for the happiness of my life, though thanks can ill express all I feel.”
“Ah, bah, ma chère! I had planned this meeting long ago. But, indeed, I was able to bring it about even under better auspices than I had hoped. The ‘sinner,’ as Aunt Sophie calls Zuniga, helped me. I shall find you here when I return four weeks hence, I hope?”
“Yes, madame. You will reside in Paris, then, always?”