"That is the inevitable consequence of a change of ministers," Zinka remarked. Her manner of speech, quiet, and rather inclined to irony, was that of those who, with rigid self-control have for years endured with dignity some great grief. The baroness, meanwhile, rattled on, unheeding. "Then I went my round of charities, then looked for a wedding-present for my niece Stefanie...." "Heavens, Zoe!" Truyn groaned. "Yes, I lead a most fatiguing existence," the baroness wailed. "Just as I sat down to supper,--I missed my dinner--it occurred to me that it really would be better not to let to-day pass without making you a very important communication--that is--hm--discussing--a most important matter with you--and--here I am. Pray, Zinka, let me have a sandwich, for I am dying of hunger." "Ring the bell, Erich," Zinka said with a smile. "And now to business," said the baroness, "_je tiens une occasion_--it really is the most advantageous opportunity!" "You shall have your sandwich, Zoe," said Truyn, quietly stretching out his hand to the bell handle, "but pray spare me your advantageous opportunities. If I had availed myself of all your boasted 'opportunities,' I should now be the proud possessor of fourteen rattle-trap Buehl pianos and at least twenty-five tumble-down country houses. As it is I have bought for love of you three holy-water pots of Mme. Maintenon's, an inkstand of the Pompadour's, and I can't tell how many nightcaps of Louis XVI., warranted genuine." "And an excellent bargain you had of them," the baroness declared. "Louis Sixteenth's nightcaps have latterly been going up in price. But this time there is no question of purchase," she went on to say, "and that is the best of it." "That certainly is very fine," muttered Truyn. "The question is,--I suppose I ought to ask Gabrielle to leave the room, that used to be the way, girls never were allowed to be present while their parents disposed of their future, but I .... _j'aime a attaquer les choses franchement_. The question is, in fact, with regard to--Gabrielle's marriage." Zinka with a smile took the hand of the young girl standing beside her in her own, and tenderly laid it against her cheek. "Gabrielle's beauty produced a sensation at the last ball at the Spanish embassy's," the baroness continued. "I must entreat you not to make such a fatal assault upon my daughter's modesty," exclaimed Zinka. "Bah!" the baroness shrugged her shoulders, "stop up your ears, Gabrielle. Produced a sensation is the correct phrase. It is remarkable--the _succes_ that the Austrian women always have in Paris. I have a suitor for Gabrielle--the most brilliant _parti_ in Paris."