"Madame has enjoyed herself?"
Helen's face is wreathed in a constant, misty smile. She looks inquiringly at Susanne and answers:
"Yes—no—you may go now. Good night."
For a moment after Susanne is gone, Helen stands thoughtfully before the mirror. She looks at her reflection carefully. She says half aloud:
"How beautiful I am! I never was so glad to be beautiful, before. I feel like a young girl again."
She studies the tall, lissome figure before her. The folds of her gown cling to her limbs, emphasizing every sumptuous curve. She says in a little tone of elation:
"How glad Edgar must be that you belong to him," nodding at herself.
She hears the library door open below, and goes to the door. She opens it cautiously. There is in her manner, the delicious shyness of a young girl with her first lover. She listens a moment, and hearing no step, goes softly to the stairs. The hall door below is just closing.
Braine has gone out.