"Ah, oui, oui," cried Louise, beginning to enjoy herself.
Madame pulled the check-string and desired the chauffeur to fly—to put on all the speed possible. Soon they reached the établissement.
"Who sold this chapeau to Mademoiselle Grognan?" enquired la Comtesse.
"I did," said Madame Marcelle. "She has not paid for it yet."
"I admit no debts in the établissement," exclaimed Madame la Comtesse. "Madame Marcelle, why did you allow such an ugly thing into le magasin?"
"It came by mistake," replied the poor, confused Madame. "The mademoiselle liked it and I sold it to her. I only charged her forty francs, for I thought it so ugly."
"It is a screaming farce," said Madame la Comtesse. "Go back, Mademoiselle. I will write this evening to votre père, the restaurant-keeper, for the money."
"Oh, but it pours, it drenches," cried Louise.
"I care not, nay more, I am glad," said Madame.
"You went with intention to act cruelly to me and mine. Madame Marcelle, come back with me at once to the château—at once, at once! Let the assistants serve here for the rest of the day."