"You must wear this green, so dark," she said. "_Tiens_, and here are the very chapeaux for you! Hesitate not, Madame Vollot! You will look--oh, of the most charming!" A little way to the right stood Madame Derode, the Lady Hébé Duncan, and Dorothy, her sister. _La petite_ Comtesse kept her back to the group. She was absorbed with Madame Vollot. Just then Madame Marcelle came up and whispered some words to the little Comtesse. The little Comtesse shook her pretty head. "_Non, non_," she said, "it cannot be. I have all my time occupied to the moment. They have offended me and I will not serve them now. See, behold, when I have done with this _chère Madame_, there are others who are waiting for me. I cannot give any advice at all to the Ladies Hébé and Dorothy. You must attend them yourself, Madame Marcelle." Madame Marcelle did her best, but the deed was done. Dorothy and Hébé, accompanied by their aunt, left the _établissement_ with their heads in the air and a very significant expression on their faces. "Behold, I had my way," said little Margot with a smile, and she went on giving all her skill and knowledge to the wives of the different farmers, who were so rich and could pay so well. But when they got into the street, Hébé said a word to her aunt, Madame Derode. "I have suffered an insult," said Hébé, "and I wish to repay it." "An insult, my dear child!" said Madame. "What do you mean? Who would dare to insult a bride-elect? Ah, me, I know life and I know men, also. For thee is perfect happiness, my little Hébé." "Nevertheless I have suffered an insult," said Hébé Duncan. "Did you not observe that ugly little girl, who gave herself such airs and who only attended to the farmer folk?" "You cannot allude to _la petite_ Comtesse?" said Madame Derode. "Why she is a most beautiful, very young girl!" "Nevertheless she has insulted me," said Hébé. "We have plenty of time. We will not take over long on this business. Aunt Matilda, I want to drive to the Château St. Juste." "Ah, but certainly," said Madame Derode. "Do you know the Comte, Hébé? He is a very proud old man; he makes but few acquaintances." "I shall get to know him," said Hébé. "And I," exclaimed Dorothy. "Well, have it your own way, my sweet pets. But I hear that he is of the most delicate. We will not detain him long." "Not long," said Hébé, blushing and laughing. They arrived in a very few minutes at the château, which was in exquisite order. Everything new and fresh and, according to Madame Derode, perfectly lovely, for she was the sort of woman who liked whiteness and spotlessness and everything in perfect present-day taste. Her own château was neat, but not to compare with this. She gave a quick sigh under her breath, but her nieces were too much occupied with their own affairs to observe it.