style," she was saying.

A man's voice, with a strong Teutonic accent, the voice of Van
Klopen, the Hollander, caught up the refrain. "Yes, strict
necessities, one can swear to that. And if, before flying into a
passion, Monsieur le Baron had taken the trouble to glance over my
little bill, he would have seen----"

"No more! You bore me to death. Besides I haven't time to listen
to your nonsense; they are waiting for me to play a game of whist
at the club."

This time it was the master of the house, Baron Trigault, who
spoke, and Pascal recognized his voice instantly.

"If monsieur would only allow me to read the items. It will take
but a moment," rejoined Van Klopen. And as if he had construed
the oath that answered him as an exclamation of assent, he began:
"In June, a Hungarian costume with jacket and sash, two train
dresses with upper skirts and trimmings of lace, a Medicis
polonaise, a jockey costume, a walking costume, a riding-habit,
two morning-dresses, a Velleda costume, an evening dress."

"I was obliged to attend the races very frequently during the
month of June," remarked the baroness.

But the illustrious adorner of female loveliness had already
resumed his reading. "In July we have: two morning-jackets, one
promenade costume, one sailor suit, one Watteau shepherdess
costume, one ordinary bathing-suit, with material for parasol and