As the reporter had discovered, Jane Zeld occupied an apartment on the first floor of a small hôtel, or rather, in one of those boarding-houses frequented by respectable people who come from the four quarters of the globe to enjoy the attractions of Paris. It was a most respectable establishment, with its iron gate à l'Anglaise, its well scrubbed steps, its parlor on the rez de chaussée, and its three floors above all occupied.
The lady who managed this enterprise was the widow of a captain. She wore English curls, spoke a few words in various languages, and had a marvelous ability for making out long bills. Her prices were high, very high, but the situation of her house was at once elegant and retired. It was a wonder that these items were not entered on the bill. She had never admitted any artists into her sanctuary until the intendant Maslenes one day offered her five hundred francs for an apartment which she usually rented for three, and no single women. Now Jane Zeld seemed to be a single woman, but Madame closed her eyes to this, and now that she divined a star in the future, Madame Vollard redoubled her courtesy to her lodger. She felt that she was a mine of wealth in the future. That night Madame Vollard had insisted on dressing Jane herself, and she had excellent taste. She spent a number of hours dwelling on the undoubted success of "the dear child," and it was two o'clock when she heard the carriage. She ran down the stairs, and when she saw Jane and her remarkable costume, she raised her hands in astonishment.
"You have had a pleasant time, I trust!" she exclaimed.
Maslenes gently pushed her back.
"Excuse me, Madame, but the young lady is fatigued, and somewhat ill, I fear."
"Ill! What can I do for her? I have camphor, lavender water—what shall I get?"
Maslenes led Jane hastily to her room, saying as he did so:
"No, no, it is nothing. To-morrow will do. She only needs rest now."
Jane sank into a chair on reaching her salon.
Maslenes closed the door, and stood motionless and silent until she should see fit to speak.