"A thousand pardons, Monsieur Meyrin. I thought you were alone."
"Why, madame," the artist stammered, scarcely knowing what he said, and wishing himself buried a hundred feet deep in the ground, "it is much the same thing as if I were. Mademoiselle is not a stranger. She is a charming model, whom women of the best society often find in my studio, and in those of my most eminent brother artists."
"Mademoiselle is indeed a very beautiful person, well fitted to give inspiration to a painter," said the princess, with a smile, which stung Sarah so deeply that she said, quickly, in a hot tone:
"Monsieur Meyrin might have added that his friends as well as himself show regard for me."
Paul saw that things would soon be in a mess if he did not do something to regulate them; but being little used to this sort of encounters, he would certainly have made some new blunder, when the princess, no doubt taking pity on him, said, going toward the door:
"My dear sir, I would not hinder you in your work. You are having a sitting probably; I will go. I shall see you this evening. You have not forgotten that we dine together and go to the opera afterward."
"Madame," said Paul, with a movement to hinder her going.
"No, no; it will be better so. This evening."
Without another look she went out quickly.
A few moments later the sound of the carriage wheels proved that she had driven off.