“Honor bright!”
“You may kiss me,” said Perdita; and when he had done so, she added, “You have done what no other man will ever do. Good-bye!”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When the Marquise reached home, it was after five o’clock. In the dressing-room she found Madame Cabot; the black satin dress was laid out on the sofa, and the diamonds were on the dressing-table. The Marquise performed her toilet carefully, and when it was completed, she scrutinized her appearance with unusual deliberation. “Do I look well, Madame Cabot?” she asked at length.
“I have never seen Madame la Marquise look more beautiful.”
Perdita smiled. “Well, I have need to look beautiful to-night. The gentleman whom I expect to-night—Monsieur Fillmore—is coming to claim my promise to marry him. A woman should appear beautiful in the eyes of her bridegroom, should she not, Madame Cabot?”
“Without doubt! Madame la Marquise is then resolved to marry?”
“I have resolved to change my condition,” said Perdita. “I am tired of this lonely life, and am going to make an end of it.”
“May Madame enjoy every happiness!”
“I don’t think of that—I don’t expect it!” said the Marquise, after a pause. “After my experience, Madame Cabot, I should be a fool to look forward to happiness, either in this state or in any other. But it will be a change, at least: a great change!” She added, after a moment, “I have spoken to you of this, because, when the change comes, I shall not any longer need your services. You have been comfortable with me, I hope, madame?”