‘And that is, Monsieur———?’
‘To wear to-night the satin dress and the pearl ornaments which I gave to you three weeks ago.’
Belleisle was standing before his wife, buttoning the kid gloves which reached almost to her elbow; for she was ready to take her usual morning drive with Madame de Fontenay. The girl allowed him to finish his task, then she spoke.
‘Why is it you wish me to wear that dress, Monsieur?’
‘Because, chérie, we shall have a new guest.’
‘Indeed?’
‘A young French nobleman—whom, if we wish to stand well in society, it is our interest to fascinate.’
‘To fascinate!’
The ejaculation made Belleisle look sharply into his wife’s face. He was by no means pleased by what he saw there. He opened his lips to speak, but was prevented by the entrance of Madame de Fontenay.
The widow, dressed as usual in rich widow’s mourning, came quickly into the room, and took Madeline’s gloved hand in hers.