"They are, unfortunately," said Sophie, smiling.
"Very well," replied the marquise, "and all are high-necked, I warrant."
"Yes, all are high-necked," replied poor Sophie.
"Better and better," said Madeleine, "so that these dimpled shoulders, these beautiful arms are condemned to perpetual burial! it is deplorable! Let us see, you have at least some elegant morning gown,—some coquettish dressing-gown,—have you not?"
"My morning gowns are all very simple. It is true that formerly—"
"Formerly?"
"I did have some beautiful ones."
"Well, where are they?"
"I thought they were too young for the mother of a family like me," said Sophie, smiling. "So I relegated them, I believe, to a shelf in that wardrobe with the glass door."
The marquise waited to hear no more; she ran to the wardrobe, which she ransacked, and found two or three very pretty morning gowns of striped taffeta of great beauty. She selected one of deep blue, with straw-coloured stripes; the sleeves open and floating exposed the arms to the elbow, and although it lapped over in front, the gown opened enough to show the neck in the most graceful manner possible.