Gabrie, mute and stiff, wedged in between the two young ladies, looked and listened. Every one was talking except herself--her small, colourless self in her little black frock. The blind lady, moving and talking as if she could see perfectly, became the special object of her attention. The Princess was talking. Antonio also, very handsome but preternaturally grave, was talking to an elderly young lady who had stuck a golden fringe on top of her scanty red hair. Scraps of phrases, laughter, isolated words in the midst of the general hubbub, reached the corner where sat Regina, Gabrie and Marianna. "Do you know that lady's history?" asked Marianna. "Blind as she is, she tried to murder her husband, who was the cause of her calamity." "How was that?" "I'll tell you afterwards. Now I must talk to those people over there." She moved off with a great rustling of her petticoats. But suddenly she stopped and said, looking back to Regina-- "I met your baby out with that demon of a nurse. I put the woman in a fury telling her we were going to have an earthquake." "I know," said Regina laughing; "you frightened her to death." "Frightened her? Won't that poison the baby? But it's quite true about the earthquake. I read it in print." "Really? What fun!" said Gabrie. Marianna seemed to see her for the first time. "Is this a relation of yours?" she asked Regina. "More or less," said Regina. "I observe a likeness. But bless me! I'm forgetting my duties." She started again, but again turned back. "Oh! I've been wanting to tell you something, Signora. Come with me. How grand you are to-night! It must be because----" "What do you want to tell me?" "Come with me," said Marianna, taking her hand. "Gabrie, you come too," said Regina. Gabrie rose, but, bethinking her that Marianna probably wished to speak to her friend alone, she begged to be allowed to remain where she was. "You won't be lonely?" "No, no. I like this corner. Go." Regina went, but soon came back and took Gabrie to the supper-room. The table was laden with plate, and the company stood round it eating and drinking. Marianna, seated at the _Samovar_, was pouring tea into Japanese cups, delicate and transparent as flowers. Antonio was carrying them to the guests. He gave one to Gabrie, who smiled at him quietly. "Are you enjoying yourself?" asked Antonio. "Yes, very much. Only I can't understand all they say. Even Regina talks French. She speaks very well." Antonio looked at his wife, so fair, delicate, graceful. She drew nearer and said-- "What are you staring at me for?" "Am I not allowed to look at my wife? Why are you pale? You were quite rosy when we came. What's the matter?" "The matter? Nothing. Am I pale, Gabrie?" "A little. But it's very becoming," said Gabrie, tasting the tea. "Thank you, dear!" "You're much the prettiest here. Isn't she, Signor Antonio?" "The prettiest and the best dressed."