"Oh, yes, Justine, my good soul, I will. Justine, I shall not wear that black satin, nor the ruby moire again. Alas, who would be a mother! I have but one idea, Justine, and that is to see my children settled with good establishments, and they seem to do nothing but rebel against me." "It is vairy terrible, poor milady." "Yes, it is dreadful, Justine," said her ladyship who was now shedding tears copiously. "Even my son goes against me." "It is vairy shocking of him, milady," said the sympathetic maid, holding salts to her mistress' nostrils, and having her hand gratefully pressed in return. "Ah, me; I am a great martyr," said her ladyship, sobbing softly, and growing more confiding. "I don't know what I should do without you, Justine. Every one fights against me." "Poor, poor milady," cried Justine, sympathetically. "Does Miss Tryphie ever talk to you about Captain Bellman?" "She said once he was vairy handsome," said Justine. "Yes, yes, very, and so well connected, Justine. They say he has been rather wild; but a man of birth may make mistakes, Justine; they are never the serious errors of a plebeian." "No, milady, never," said the maid. "Just a few more drops, milady." "Thanks, Justine, thanks," sighed her ladyship, partaking of some more lavender upon sugar. "That Mr Melton never calls now, I think?" "No, milady, never.--_Ah, quel mensonge_!" she added to herself. "And his dog does not come?" "No, milady, I have not seen it for a month." "Ah," sighed her ladyship, whose noble bust rose and fell from the excess of her emotions; "mine is far from a happy life; but go, Justine, go now: I feel as if I could sleep. A nap might do me good. I trust you, Justine. You shall have a gold watch and chain the day my daughter becomes Lady Wilters. Let her go at once." "Thank you, dear milady; _merci beaucoup_," cried the Frenchwoman, bending down and kissing her ladyship's extremely white and beringed plump hand. A minute later she was in Maude's room. "Go!" faltered the girl, trembling. "No, no, Justine, I cannot--I dare not." "How--miladi is timide," said the Frenchwoman, laying her hand upon the girl's soft tresses. "Would she have all this fall, so that when Sir Wilter, your dear husband, would pass his hand through and say, `Ah, _ma belle ange_, your fair tresses are adorable,' and kiss them, and become _fou_ with delight as he pass them over his face, would you have them thin and come out in his fingaire?" Maude's face was a study as she gazed at the maid while she spoke. She shuddered, and her features assumed a look of unutterable loathing. "Quick, give me my hat and scarf. I will have a veil." "You shall, my sweet young lady. Her ladyship wills that you go often to save your beautiful hair. Ah, I would that Monsieur Hector could attend you himself, but he will be busy. You must be content wis ze assistant." "Justine," said Maude quietly, "do not forget our positions."