"Will you please bring the tea, Alfred," she said in a charming
voice of that pure, bell-like tone which has been Nature's most
precious gift to but a few of the greatest actresses.

"For how many, miss?" said Alfred.

"For four--unless your master has come back."

"Oh, no; he's not back yet, miss. He went in the car to Rennes to
lunch; and it's a good many miles away. He won't be back for another
hour."

"And the Duke--he's not back from his ride yet, is he?"

"Not yet, miss," said Alfred, turning to go.

"One moment," said Sonia. "Have all of you got your things packed
for the journey to Paris? You will have to start soon, you know. Are
all the maids ready?"

"Well, all the men are ready, I know, miss. But about the maids,
miss, I can't say. They've been bustling about all day; but it takes
them longer than it does us."

"Tell them to hurry up; and be as quick as you can with the tea,
please," said Sonia.

Alfred went out of the room; Sonia went back to the writing-table.
She did not take up her pen; she took up one of the wedding-cards;
and her lips moved slowly as she read it in a pondering depression.