I am sure her bill at
Van Klopen's is not less than a hundred thousand francs a year--
and that is saying enough, is it not?" And with genuine pride, she
added: "The baroness is my friend. I will introduce you to her."
Having once started on this theme, Madame de Fondege was not
easily silenced. It was evidently her ambition to be considered a
woman of the world, and to be acquainted with all the leaders of
fashionable society; and, in fact, if one listened to her
conversation for an hour one could learn all the gossip of the
day. Though she was unable to interest herself in this tittle-
tattle, Marguerite was pretending to listen to it with profound
attention when the drawing-room door suddenly opened and Evariste
appeared with an impudent smile on his face. "Madame Landoire,
the milliner, is here, and desires to speak with Madame la
Comtesse," he said.
On hearing this name, Madame de Fondege started as if she had been
stung by a viper. "Let her wait," she said quickly. "I will see
her in a moment."
The order was useless, for the visitor was already on the
threshold. She was a tall, dark-haired, ill-mannered woman. "Ah!
I've found you at last," she said, rudely, "and I'm not sorry.
This is the fourth time I've come here with my bill."
Madame de Fondege pointed to Mademoiselle Marguerite, and
exclaimed: "Wait, at least, until I am alone before you speak to
me on business.
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