Madame de Hansfeld rose, went some steps towards Bertha, and said to her with complaisance,—
"Madame, you are most kind to have remembered that I was at home to-day."
"Madame, you—are—very obliging," stammered Bertha, lowering her eyes that she might not meet those of Arnold.
The poor girl was ready to sink.
The princess added,—
"Will you allow me, madame, to present the Prince de Hansfeld, who has not yet had the honour of an introduction to you?"
Arnold advanced, made a low bow, and said to Bertha,—
"I very much regret not having accompanied Madame de Hansfeld into society as often as I could have wished; and after her good fortune in being introduced to you, I regret it doubly, madame; yet I console myself as I am happy enough to have now an opportunity of paying my respects to you."
Anxious to come to Bertha's aid, and who, more and more troubled, had not a word to reply to Arnold, Madame de Hansfeld said to him, presenting M. de Brévannes,—
"M. de Brévannes."