"Ah I you are Mme. Derline--that already celebrated Mme. Derline--who yesterday at the opera--I understand, I understand--I was reading just now in this paper--words are no longer necessary--you should have told your name at once--yes, you need me; yes, you shall have your dress; yes, I want to divide your success with you." M. Arthur called: "Mademoiselle Blanche, come here at once! Mademoiselle Blanche!" And turning towards Mme. Derline, he said: "She has great talent, but I shall myself superintend it; so be easy--yes, I myself." Mme. Derline was a little confused, a little embarrassed by her glory, but happy nevertheless. Mademoiselle Blanche came forward. "Conduct madame," said M. Arthur, "and take the necessary measures for a ball-dress, very low, and with absolutely bare arms. During that time, madame, I am going to think seriously of what I can do for you. It must be something entirely new--ah! before going, permit me--" He walked very slowly around Mme. Derline, and examined her with profound attention; then he walked away, and considered her from a little distance. His face was serious, thoughtful, and anxious. A great thinker wrestling with a great problem. He passed his hand over his forehead, raised his eyes to the sky, getting inspiration by a painful delivery; but suddenly his face lit up--the spirit from above had answered. "Go, madame," he said, "go. Your dress is thought out. When you come back, mademoiselle, bring me that piece of pink satin; you know, the one that I was keeping for some great occasion." Thus Mme. Derline found herself with Mademoiselle Blanche in a trying-on room, which was a sort of little cabin lined with mirrors. A quarter of an hour later, when the measures had been taken, Mme. Derline came back and discovered M. Arthur in the midst of pieces of satin of all colors, of crepes, of tulles, of laces, and of brocaded stuffs. "No, no, not the pink satin," he said to Mademoiselle Blanche, who was bringing the asked-for piece; "no, I have found something better. Listen to me. This is what I wish: I have given up the pink, and I have decided on this, this peach-colored satin. A classic robe, outlining all the fine lines and showing the suppleness of the body. This robe must be very clinging--hardly any underskirts. It must be of surah. Madame must be melted into it--do you thoroughly understand?--absolutely melted into the robe. We will drop over the dress this crepe--yes, that one, but in small, light pleats. The crepe will be as a cloud thrown over the dress--a transparent, vapory, impalpable cloud. The arms are to be absolutely bare, as I already told you. On each shoulder there must be a simple knot, showing the upper part of the arm. Of what is the knot to be? I'm still undecided--I need to think it over--till to-morrow, madame, till to-morrow."