For a moment Madame de Hansfeld did not fully comprehend the purport of this letter. Then suddenly addressing herself to Iris,—
"What is to-day?"
"Thursday, godmother."
"Thursday! no, surely not," said Madame de Hansfeld. "I thought—but——" she added, with anxiety, "is not this mid-Lent?"
"Yes, godmother; I have seen some masquers pass along the streets."
"Oh, I understand—I understand," exclaimed Paula, and hastening to her secrétaire she wrote rapidly,—
"This evening between twelve and one—at the Opera in the same place as before. Faust and Childe Harold! a green riband at the hood of the Domino."
Then sealing and giving the note to Iris, she said to her,—
"This is the answer: give it to the messenger."
Iris left the room.