"It is rather an amusing situation, is it not?" demanded Marjory.
"I—I do not know," replied Marie.
"Then in time you shall see. In the mean while, you might smile. Why do you not smile?"
"I—I do not know," Marie replied honestly.
"You must learn how. It is necessary. It is necessary even to laugh. Monsieur Covington laughed a great deal this afternoon."
"He—he is a man," observed Marie, as if that were some explanation.
"Eh bien—is it men alone who have the privilege of laughing?"
"I do not know," answered Marie; "but I have noticed that men laugh a great deal more about some things than women."
"Then that is because women are fools," affirmed Marjory petulantly.
Though Marie was by no means convinced, she was ready to drop the matter in her admiration of the picture her mistress made when properly gowned. Whether she wished or not, madame, when she was done with her this evening, looked as a bride should look. And monsieur, waiting below, was worthy of her.