'Why did you not come to Nini Santamarta's to-day? We all expected you.'
She was tall and thin with extraordinary green eyes sunk deep in their shadowy sockets. Her dress was black, the bodice open in a point back and front, and in her hair, which was blond cendré, she wore a great diamond crescent like Diana. She waved a huge fan of red feathers hastily to and fro as she spoke.
'Nini is at Madame Van Hueffel's this evening.'
'I am going there later on for a little while, so I shall see her,' answered the Duchess.
'Oh, Ugenta,' said the Princess turning to Andrea, 'I was looking for you to remind you of our appointment. To-morrow is Thursday and Cardinal Immenraet's sale begins at twelve. Will you fetch me at one?'
'I shall not fail, Princess.'
'I simply must have that rock crystal.'
'Then you must be prepared for competition.'
'From whom?'
'My cousin for one.'