When they reached the Russie, he ordered a _petit souper_ in an hour, and invited the ladies. Meantime they retired--Miss Maitland to her room, and Fanny, with Zoe, to hers. By this time Miss Dover had lost her alacrity, and would, I verily believe, have shunned a _te'te-'a-te'te_ if she could; but there was a slight paleness in Zoe's cheek, and a compression of the lips, which told her plainly that young lady meant to have it out with her. They both knew so well what was coming, that Zoe merely waved her to a chair and leaned herself against the bed, and said, “Now, Fanny.” So Fanny was brought to bay. “Dear me,” said she piteously, “I don't know what to do, between you and Aunt Maitland. If I say all I think, I suppose you will hate me; and if I don't, I shall be told I'm wicked, and don't warn an orphan girl. She flew at me like a bull-dog before your brother: she said I was twenty-five, and I only own to twenty-three. And, after all, what could I say? for I do feel I ought to give you the benefit of my experience, and make myself as disagreeable as _she_ does. And I _have_ given you a hint, and a pretty broad one, but you want such plain speaking.” “I do,” said Zoe. “So please speak plainly, if you can.” “Ah, you _say_ that.” “And I mean it. Never mind consequences; tell me the truth.” “Like a man, eh? and get hated.” “Men are well worth imitating, in some things. Tell me the truth, pleasant or not, and I shall always respect you.” “Bother respect. I am like the rest of us; I want to be loved a little bit. But there--I'm in for it. I have said too much, or too little. I know that. Well, Zoe, the long and the short is--you have a rival.” Zoe turned rather pale, but was not so much shaken as Fanny expected. She received the blow in silence. But after a while she said, with some firmness, “Mademoiselle Klosking?” “Oh, you are not quite blind, then.” “And pray which does he prefer?” asked Zoe, a little proudly. “It is plain he likes you the best. But why does he fear her so? This is where you seem all in the dark. He flew out of the opera, lest she should see him.” “Oh! Absurd!” “He cut you and Vizard, rather than call upon her with you.” “And so he did.” “He flew from the gambling-table the moment she entered the room.” “Behind him. She came in behind him.” “There was a large mirror in front of him.” “Oh, Fanny! oh!” and Zoe clasped her hands piteously. But she recovered herself, and said, “After all, appearances are deceitful.” “Not so deceitful as men,” said Fanny, sharply. But Zoe clung to her straw. “Might not two things happen together? He is subject to bleeding at the nose. It is strange it should occur twice so, but it is possible.” “Zoe,” said Fanny, gravely, “he is not subject to bleeding at the nose.” “Oh, _then_--but how can you know that? What right have you to say that?” “I'll show you,” said Fanny, and left the room.