"You're acting like a fool, Mrs. Veilsturm," he observed, tranquilly; "first you broke a fan, now you break a glass--silly, my dear, very silly! It doesn't hurt Lady Errington, but only yourself. By-the-way," glancing at his watch, "it's seven o'clock. I wonder when dinner will be ready, I'm dreadfully hungry."
His partner, however, was not listening to him, but a sudden thought seemed to have struck her, for the fire died out of her eyes and her complexion resumed its usual rich hue of health. After a pause, a gratified smile broke over her face, and bending down she picked up the fan.
"I'm sorry I broke this," she said, quietly, advancing towards the Major; "it was such a pretty fan. Dolly Thambits gave it to me. Never mind, I'll make him give me another."
She spoke quite cheerfully, and the Major stared at her in silent surprise at this sudden change from intense anger to languid tranquillity.
"Upon my word, you puzzle me, Maraquita," he said doubtfully. "A moment ago you were like a devil, now you are within reasonable distance of an angel. What is the meaning of this change?"
The beautiful widow put one slender foot on the fender, looked in the glass, touched some ornaments in her hair, then replied, in a wonderfully calm manner:
"Simply this, that I see my way to punishing Lady Errington."
"The deuce you do."
"Yes; she is newly married, and, no doubt, loves her husband--he's a fool, for I've seen him in London, so through her husband I'll punish her."
"Oh, I see," said the Major, grimly; "you intend to make love to the husband."