"It is the one M. le duc sent for madame la comtesse."
"I recognise his taste," said Madame Zomaloff, shrugging her shoulders. Then she added, with a mocking air, "It is one he picked up at a bargain, I'll be bound. Some lover who quarrelled with his sweetheart yesterday morning failed to send last evening for the bouquet he had ordered. It takes M. de Riancourt to discover such bargains."
"Ah, madame cannot suppose M. le duc is as stingy as all that. He is so rich."
"All the more reason that he should be."
Some one rapped at the door of the chamber adjoining the dressing-room, and the French maid who went to answer the summons returned in a moment to say:
"M. le Duc de Riancourt has come, and is awaiting madame's pleasure."
"Let him wait," replied Madame Zomaloff. "The princess is in the drawing-room, I suppose."
"Yes, madame la comtesse."
"Very well. Here, Katinka, fasten this bracelet," continued the young woman, holding out her beautiful arm. "What time is it?"
But as Katinka was about to reply, Madame Zomaloff added, with a mocking smile: