"It is a screaming farce," said Madame la Comtesse. "Go back, Mademoiselle. I will write this evening to _votre père_, the restaurant-keeper, for the money." "Oh, but it pours, it drenches," cried Louise. "I care not, nay more, I am glad," said Madame. "You went with intention to act cruelly to me and mine. Madame Marcelle, come back with me at once to the château--at once, at once! Let the assistants serve here for the rest of the day." Thus and in this fashion was Mademoiselle served for her evil conduct. Thus was she severely reprimanded by Grognan the restaurant-keeper, and thus did Madame Marcelle explain to the much troubled Comte who had really sold the chapeau to Mam'selle. "It was the chapeau that saved me," said the old Comte. "I was sinking into one of my worst faints, which are to the life of the aged so dangerous, when I looked at the chapeau and knew it could not be. _Ma petite chérie_ could not act as that wicked daughter of the people would try to make me believe." "Ah, _non_, M. le Comte," exclaimed Madame Marcelle, "the dignity of _la petite_ is of the marvellous. When she enters my _établissement_, simply to _buy_, thou dost understand, every one turns to look at the beautiful _enfant_. She chooses for herself and her taste is superb." "Then that girl told a cruel lie," said the Comte. "Ah, _certainement_, monsieur." CHAPTER XIX. LE CABINET DE BEAUTÉ. But little Margot was not to get off quite so easily. She was to have her _trials_ the same as other people. There was not the slightest doubt whatsoever that Margot had a nature far above the ordinary. It was strong, it was brave, it had a sort of noble simplicity about it. She was proud of her race, both on her father's and her mother's side, but she could not see the slightest harm in assisting _la belle_ grand'mère with the _établissement_. She did see, however, a good deal of harm in annoying, nay more, in seriously injuring, the lives of two dear old men, both of them in their own way the dearest old men in the world. Of course The Desmond was the best of all--he was grand, noble, superb; but there was also something _très magnifique_, according to _la belle_ grand'mère, in Monsieur le Comte St. Juste. He was so feeble, too, and so old; he must not be hurt for anything in the world. Margot thought nothing whatsoever about her supposed _dot_, but she sympathised with la belle grand'mère in keeping all knowledge of _le magasin_ from M. le Comte. The little Madame idolised the sweet girl, and poured her troubles into those sympathetic ears. "Behold, behold!" she cried. "There would not be _l'argent_ for _mon_ Alphonse if thou didst not do thy noble best; if I did not keep the _établissement_ going. He wants his comforts, that aged and beloved one." "Ah, _oui, je comprens_," said little Margot. And she did comprehend, and kept her word.