"That, indeed, would be no sacrifice," said Sempaly coolly. "But it must be a sacrifice for a lady to appear in a part that suits her so remarkably ill."
Mrs. Ferguson smiled rather like some pretty little wild beast showing its teeth.
"Ah!" she said, "I suppose you think I have none of that pathetic grace that M. Barillat is so fond of talking about."
"No more than of saving grace," said Sempaly solemnly. Then, while the women were disputing over the matter, he found an opportunity of whispering a few words to Barillat; Barillat looked up delighted. At this moment they were joined by Countess Ilsenbergh.
"I have another suggestion to offer Madame la Comtesse; I have thought of some one...."
"Some newly-imported American," laughed Madame de Gandry, "or a painter's model with studied grace and yellow hair?"
"You may rest assured that I should not for an instant think of proposing to employ a model," Barillat emphatically declared; "no, the lady in question is a very charming person: Fräulein Sterzl. I saw her the day before yesterday at Lady Julia Ellis's; she is an Austrian--you must know her surely?"
"I have not that pleasure," said the countess drily.
"You do not think she will do?" murmured the artist abashed. The countess cleared her throat.
"Bless me!" cried Madame de Gandry furious at the pride of her Austrian friend, "you take the matter really too much in earnest. Why on earth should not the girl act with us? On these occasions, in Vienna, as I have been informed, even actors are invited to help."