strange and sumptuous objects that seemed in some mysterious
way to be part and parcel of their beautiful owner, and affected
him almost as strangely as she herself had done.

Preceded by a faint waft of scent and a rustle of silk, she
reappeared, tying the strings of the hat that made a dainty diadem
above her smiling eyes.

Edgar looked at her curiously:

"Why, mother, there's something... I don't know what. . . something
that alters you."

She glanced in the mirror, examining her hair, which showed pale
violet shadows amid the flaxen plaits.

"Oh! it's nothing," she said; "only I have put some powder in
my hair. Like the Empress," she added, and broke into another
smile.

As she was drawing on her gloves, a ring was heard, and the maid
came in to tell her mistress that Monsieur Delbèque was waiting
to see her.

Madame Ewans pouted and declared she could not receive him, whereupon
the maid spoke a few words in a very peremptory whisper. Madame
Ewans shrugged her shoulders.

"Stay where you are!" she told the boys, and passed into the
dining-room, whence the murmur of two voices could presently be