"I beg your pardon," said the countess, "but a sudden fainting spell seized me. My heart is a bit weak."
"Don't mention it," replied the gallant Norton. He was as innocent as a babe as to what had really taken place.
Florence went back home. She wrote a brief note to Norton and inclosed the ring which she had secretly worn attached to a little chain around her neck.
When Norton came the next day she refused to see him. It was all over. She never wished to see him again.
"He says there has been some cruel mistake," said Jones.
"I saw him with the countess in his arms. I do not see any cruel mistake in that. I saw him. Tell him so. And add that I never wish to see him again."
Then she ran swiftly to her room, where she broke down and cried bitterly and would not be comforted by Susan.
"In heaven's name, what has happened?" demanded the frantic lover, "what has happened?"
The comedy of the whole affair lay in the fact that neither of the two suspected the countess, who consoled them both.