"Youth and beauty do not soften the hearts of tigers!" another replied.
A murmur of pity was heard as she passed, and some young men placed themselves in her path in order to obtain a closer look at her. Not until then did she note the sensation she had created. She became embarrassed, and took a step backward as if to retire; but, at that very moment, a lady, still young, in spite of the premature whiteness of her locks, approached her and said:
"Why do you draw back, my child? Do we frighten you?"
"No, madame," replied Dolores; "but I am a stranger, and, finding, myself alone among so many, I thought to retire to my own cell; but I will gladly remain if you will act as my protectress."
"Take my arm, my dear. I will present you to my friends here. I am the Marquise de Beaufort. And you?"
"My name is Dolores. I have neither father nor mother. The Marquis de Chamondrin adopted me; and I was reared in his house as his own daughter."
"The Marquis de Chamondrin? Why! his son Philip——"
"My adopted brother! You know him, madame?"
"He is one of my friends and often came to my salon—when I had a salon," added the Marquise, smiling.