"If you like, Dolly," said Maude despairingly; and with a curiously furtive glance at her mistress, caused by her wonder what her ladyship had said, the girl went on with her interrupted work till she had done; and then when certain hooks had been persuaded to enter certain eyes, and as many buttons to pass through their button-holes, as she could obtain no further orders, Dolly left the room, and Maude walked to the window, opened it, and sat down with her elbow on the sill to listen to the distant strains of music which came from the top end of the place near Park Crescent, and as she listened the tears stole down her cheeks, for the fiat must be obeyed. There would be no more pleasant visits to the coiffeur's--those little trips which relieved the monotony of her life so deliciously, and made her better able to bear the coming of Sir Grantley Wilters. No more--no more! she was to be a prisoner now till she was to be decked out with garlands, and sent like a lamb to the sacrifice, and served up with mint sauce, for Sir Grantley was going to be very rich. Life was becoming an empty void with nothing to fill it. No Charley Melton allowed to visit; no assistant to arrange her hair--and Monsieur Hector Launay's aide was so very, very nice. Maude's sad musings were interrupted by the door being opened quickly, and the head of Justine thrust in. "Oh, mademoiselle--_chere_ miladi, have you heard?" "Yes, Justine. It is all over." "All ovaire, miladi? _c'est atroce_, but not ovaire; I will take counsel wiz M'sieu Hector, and all will be well." "Justine! Justine!" "Coming, milady; I descend directly. Have a good heart, still yet, and all shall be well. _Oui_, milady, I come." Justine descended, and Maude melted into tears. CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. THE CHANCE LOOKS BAD. That same afternoon Monsieur Hector Launay's assistant entered the business place hurriedly, followed by Joby, and exclaimed-- "I am rather late. Has she come?" "Come, _non_, M'sieu; she comes no more." "What?" "I have a letter from my lady in which she say I have done her daughter's hair so much good that the visits will cease. I am paid, and _voila tout_." "Good heavens! Does she suspect?" "_Non_, M'sieu," said the Frenchman, smiling. "You have been too capable an assistant, and the occasion has ceased; but I will think, and M'sieu shall see the lady again. I will take counsel with Justine, and we will have a new plan. I am a Frenchman, and spirituel. I cannot live wizout I see _ma chere_ sometimes. Justine must come, so be of good hope; we must wait."