"I thank you very much, mademoiselle, but I fear that by thus detaining you, I shall deprive you of the pleasure of--" "Of dancing?" asked Herminie, smilingly. "I assure you, mademoiselle, that my foot hurts me too much this evening to permit of my enjoying myself in that way, so I trust you will grant me your companionship as a compensation for my misfortune." "Really, mademoiselle, you quite overpower me by your kindness." "I am only doing what you would gladly do for me, I am sure, mademoiselle, if you should see me sitting alone, as frequently happens when one attends a little entertainment like this for the first time." "I do not believe, mademoiselle," replied Ernestine, smiling, and now made entirely at ease by these gracious advances,--"in fact, I am sure that you would never be left alone even the first time you went anywhere." "Oh, mademoiselle, mademoiselle, it is you who are overwhelming me with compliments now," laughingly protested Herminie. "I assure you that I am only saying what I really think," Ernestine replied so artlessly that the duchess, appreciating the artless flattery, replied: "I thank you for your very flattering words. I am sure that they are sincere; as for their being really deserved,--that is an entirely different thing. But tell me, what do you think of our little party?" "It is charming, mademoiselle." "I think so, too. Everybody is so gay and animated! Each guest seems determined to make the most of every minute of time. Nor is it strange. Sunday comes only once a week for all of us here, and enjoyment is really enjoyment, while to many people it is a fatiguing occupation. Surfeited with pleasure, they do not even know what it is to be amused; and it seems to me that nothing could be more sad than to be always trying hard to amuse oneself." "Oh, yes, it must be sad, as sad as trying to find true affection, when nobody cares for you," Ernestine answered, unconsciously revealing the thought uppermost in her mind. There was such an intense melancholy in the girl's tone and in her face, that Herminie was deeply touched by it. "Poor child!" she said to herself, "probably she is not a favourite at home, and that makes her all the more sensitive to slights when she is out in company." Something Herminie noticed just then seemed to confirm this suspicion, for the progress of the dance having brought the green-gloved youth and his partner directly opposite Ernestine, the duchess saw the favoured one cast several compassionate and rather patronising glances at the less fortunate damsel. Mlle. de Beaumesnil also noticed these glances, and fancied that she must be an object of pity to every one. The thought, of course, wounded her deeply, so one can judge of her gratitude, when Herminie said, with a smile: "Are you willing to waive all ceremony between us, mademoiselle?" "Certainly." "Well, I find it dreadfully warm here. Would you mind going with me to Madame Herbaut's chamber to stay awhile?"