"I did so want to go," said Mme. Davarande. "If I had only known that you were going----" "We were all there," interrupted Mme. de Saint-Sauveur. "It was so curious. There was a glass-case of jewellery, a necklace of black pearls among other things--if only you had seen it--three rows. There isn't a husband in the world who could give you a thing like that; it would take a national subscription." "Shall we not see your husband?" asked Mme. Mauperin, turning to Mme. Davarande. "Oh, he's never here on my day--my husband--thank goodness!" Mme. Davarande looked round as she heard some one coming in by the door behind her chair. It was M. Barousse, followed by the young man who had been with him at the auction-room. "Ah, we meet again," he said to Mme. Mauperin, as he put down on a chair the little portfolio which never left him. Renee smiled and the chattering began again. "Have you read that novel--that novel?" "The one in the _Constitutional_?" "No." "By--I can't think of the name. It's called--wait a minute." "Every one's talking about it." "Do read it." "My husband will get it me from his club." "Is that play amusing?" "I only like dramas." "Shall we go?" "Let's take a box." "Friday?" "No, Saturday." "Shall we go to supper after?" "Yes--agreed." "It's at the _Provencaux_." "Will your husband come?" "Oh, he does what I want him to do, always." They were all talking and answering each other's questions without really listening to anything, as every one was chattering at the same time. Words, questions, and voices were all mingled together in the Babel: it was like the chirping of so many birds in a cage. The door opened, and a tall, thin woman dressed in black, entered. "Don't disturb yourselves, any of you; I have only just come in as I am passing. I have only one minute." She bowed to the ladies and took up her position in front of the chimney-piece, with her elbow on the marble and her hands in her muff. She glanced at herself in the glass, and then, lifting her dress skirt, held out the thin sole of her dainty little boot to the fire. "Henriette," she began, "I have come to ask you a favour--a great favour. You absolutely must undertake the invitations for the ball that the Brodmers are giving--you know, those Americans, who have just come; they have a flat in the Rue de la Paix, and the rent is sixteen hundred a year." "Oh, the Brodmers--yes," put in Mme. de Thesigny. "But, my dear," said Mme. Davarande, "it's a very delicate matter--I don't know them. Have you any idea what these people are?"