"Yes, yes, I know; my brother-in-law told me," Madame de Rohritz replies. "And you----"
"I? I take singing-lessons four times a week."
"My brother-in-law wrote me that you intend to go upon the stage." Madame de Rohritz laughs. "If I were a Frenchwoman I should be horrified at the idea, but I am half an Austrian. I know those whims: a cousin of mine, a Russian, Natalie Lipinski----"
"Natalie Lipinski! Ah!" Stella exclaims; "my fellow-student. We take lessons together twice a week in Signor della Seggiola's class."
"Indeed! Well, she is thinking of going upon the stage,--and with a fortune of ten million roubles. In Austria and Russia such ideas will take possession of the brains of the best-born and best-bred girls; cela ne tire pas à consequence! I never oppose Natalie, but I mean to have her married before she knows what she is about. And what shall I do with you, my fair one with the golden locks? Do you know I like you exceedingly? Le coup de foudre en plein,--love at first sight."
The clock on the chimney-piece--a clock apparently dating from the days when 'L'Africaine' was the rage, for the face is adorned with a manchineel-tree in miniature and a barbaric maiden in a head-dress of feathers dying beneath it--strikes three.
The lady starts up, takes out her watch, and compares it with the clock.
"Positively three o'clock, and my poor little boy is waiting for me in the carriage! I was to take him to his solfeggio class at three. Adieu, adieu; my compliments to your mother, and au revoir, n'est-ce pas?" She turns once again in the door-way, and, taking both Stella's hands, says, "You will come to dine with us once this week with your mother quite en famille the first time, that we may learn to know one another. I will excuse a formal call: you can pay that later: it is silly to lose time with formalities when one is simpatica. Adieu, adieu. What beautiful eyes you have! Je me sauve!"
The lively young madame kisses Stella's forehead, and then goes--or rather flies--away.
Stella's heart beats fast and loud.