Trembling with rage and mortification, Mademoiselle Milan sunk into a seat; but hers was not a nature to dwell long on trouble. With a woman's spirit of order, she commenced picking up the finery scattered around her, and putting it away. Among other things was a box of quartz diamonds, which, being small, flew in all directions. All within view were collected, and she turned to go.
"There are several lying near that flower-pot in the corner."
The lady looked up. Standing on a chair on the other side, and leaning lazily over the wall, was Armand Dupleisis.
CHAPTER III.
"Has Flora proved more attractive than Thalia?"
Armand Dupleisis, long since become acquainted, stood examining a bouquet of roses and geraniums in the music-room of Mademoiselle Milan, and the lady was seated near him, trifling with the keys of her piano.
"I gaze on beauty, mademoiselle, to accustom my eyes to divinity."
"Really! Were it not for his gigantic proportions, one would suppose man was reared in an atmosphere of compliment."
"You mistake us. Though not a favorite diet, in Pekin we devour rice with the gusto of the most polished Celestial."
"I bow to your sincerity. Women, then, are to be talked to of birds, and flowers, and stars, and fed on water-cresses?"