"
The General went off, the servants began to clear the table, and
Mademoiselle Marguerite followed her hostess to the drawing-room.
It was a lofty and spacious apartment, lighted by three windows,
and even more sumptuous in its appointments than the dining-room.
Furniture, carpets, and hangings, were all in rather poor taste,
perhaps, but costly, very costly. As the evening was a cold one,
Madame de Fondege ordered the fire to be lighted. She seated
herself on a sofa near the mantelpiece, and when Mademoiselle
Marguerite had taken a chair opposite her, she began, "Now, my
dear child, let us have a quiet talk."
Mademoiselle Marguerite expected some important communication, so
that she was not a little surprised when Madame de Fondege
resumed: "Have you thought about your mourning?"
"About my mourning, madame?"
"Yes. I mean, have you decided what dresses you will purchase? It
is an important matter, my dear--more important than you suppose.
They are making costumes entirely of crepe now, puffed and
plaited, and extremely stylish. I saw one that would suit you
well. You may think that a costume for deep mourning made with
puffs would be a trifle LOUD, but that depends upon tastes. The
Duchess de Veljo wore one only eleven days after her husband's
death; and she allowed some of her hair, which is superb, to fall
over her shoulders, a la pleureuse, and the effect was extremely
touching.
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