"Quick—quick—to our toilets," said the baroness, as soon as the servant left the room. Then she added, as if the thought had just occurred to her:
"But, now I think of it, being cousins, we wore mourning six weeks for the countess. It would be a good idea, perhaps, to put it on again. All Ernestine's servants are in black, and by our order her carriages will be draped in black. Don't you think that if I should be dressed in colours the first time she sees me, the child would think hard of it?"
"You are right, my dear," said the baron. "Resume your mourning, if only for a fortnight."
"I hate the idea," said the baroness, "for black is frightfully unbecoming to me. But this is one of the many sacrifices a person is obliged to make. Now, as to our compact," added the baroness. "No secret or independent step is to be taken in regard to Ernestine. We will all make a solemn promise to that effect. I, for one, swear it."
"And I," said the baron.
"And I," murmured Helena.
All three then hurried off to dress for the evening.
The baroness had no sooner locked herself in her own room, however, than she seated herself at her desk, and hastily penned the following note:
"My Dearest Julie:—The child arrives this evening. I shall be at your house to-morrow morning at ten o'clock. We haven't a minute to lose. Notify a certain person at once. We must come to a full understanding without delay. Silence and prudence,
"L. DE L. R."