“Why you!” she cried. And, with a gracious and dignified gesture, the Princess extended her hand, which the wealthy sugar refiner hastened to kiss.

At this moment the double doors were flung wide, and Antoine, with his most solemn air, his most ceremonious manner, announced:

“Dinner is served!”

“...No!” cried Madame smiling, whilst she refused the arm offered by her old friend. “Take in the Princess, dear friend; I will follow... by myself.”

Thomery obeyed. He passed slowly along the gallery into the dining-room with the Princess. Behind them came the Baroness, who watched them as they went: Thomery, big, muscular, broad-shouldered; Sonia Danidoff, slim, pliant, refined, dainty!

Checking a deep sigh, the Baroness could not help thinking, and her heart ached at the thought:

“What a fine couple they would make!... What a fine couple they will make!”

But as she seated herself opposite her guests, she said to herself:

Bah!... I must send sad thoughts flying!... It is high time! “My dear Thomery!” she cried playfully: “I wish – I expect you to show yourself the most charming of men to your delicious neighbour!”

Ten o’clock had struck before Madame de Vibray and her guests left the dinner table and proceeded to the small drawing-room. Thomery was allowed to smoke in their presence; besides, the Princess had accepted a Turkish cigarette, and the Baroness had allowed herself a liqueur. A most excellent dinner and choice wines had loosened tongues, and, in accordance with a pre-arranged plan, Madame de Vibray had directed the conversation imperceptibly into the channels she wished it to follow.

Thus she learned what she had feared to know, namely, that a very serious flirtation had been going on for some time between Thomery and the Princess; that between this beautiful and wealthy young widow and the millionaire sugar refiner, the flirtation was rapidly developing into something much warmer and more lasting. So far, the final stage had evidently not been reached; nevertheless, Thomery had suggested, tentatively, that he would like to give a grand ball when he took possession of the new house which he was having built for himself in the park Monceau... And had he not been so extremely anxious to secure a partner for the cotillion which he meant to lead!...

Then Madame de Vibray had suggested that the person obviously fitted to play this important part was the Princess Sonia Danidoff! Who better!

The suggestion was welcomed by both: it was settled there and then.

Yes, thought the Baroness, Thomery’s marriage is practically arranged, that is evident!... Well, I must resign myself to the inevitable.