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"Well enough," replied Countess Zomaloff, nonchalantly, casting a last glance at the large mirror before her. "Where is my bouquet?" "Here, madame." "Heavens! how frightfully yellow and faded it is!" cried the countess, shrinking back. "The duke has just sent it," ventured the maid. "I recognize his good taste," said the countess sarcastically, as she shrugged her pretty shoulders disdainfully.
Struck by the originality of the young man, Madame Zomaloff remained silent for a moment, absorbed in deep meditation; while the duke, who until then had loitered some distance behind, approached them. "My dear Florestan," he said, "I have been very eager to address you a really odd question since my arrival. Who are all these people?
Although he had long known the Duke de Riancourt, Florestan had never met the princess and her niece: but seeing him enter with the two ladies, he hastened toward him with a welcoming smile. "My dear Saint-Herem," said the duke, "allow me to present Princess Wileska and the Countess Zomaloff.
"One hour ago, as the ball was drawing to a close, a servant informed me that a lady had just arrived in a fiacre and requested to see me at once. Hastening to my apartments, I was amazed to find the Countess Zomaloff, a young and beautiful widow, quietly waiting for me. This charming woman was to have married the Duke de Riancourt within a week and had purchased my house during the evening.
Having thus summarily settled this question, Countess Zomaloff proceeded to the drawing-room, where she found her aunt and the duke awaiting her. Princess Wileska was a tall, distingué woman, with powdered hair and imposing presence, who presented a striking contrast to the meagre personage engaged in conversation with her.
"M. de Riancourt was right to speak of wonders," rejoined Madame Zomaloff, "for I admit that we are so dazzled by a first glance, that we can not conscientiously admire any one thing." "My dear Saint-Herem," resumed the duke, "I may as well make a clean breast of it and admit that the countess' visit is not entirely disinterested.
"A thousand thanks for procuring me such good fortune," replied the countess, advancing toward the artist. "My dear friend," said Florestan, "the Countess Zomaloff wishes to express to you all her admiration for your work." "Not my admiration only, but my gratitude also," rejoined the young woman graciously.
"I had a right to squander my own fortune; but to ruin a woman who trusts her whole future into my hands would be a piece of unparalleled infamy!" One month later, Louis Richard, with his father and Mariette, assisted at the nuptial benediction of Florestan de Saint-Herem and Madame Zomaloff.
It was while accomplishing the duties of this most admirable hospitality, that he caught his first glimpse of the beautiful Countess Zomaloff, as she entered the first saloon, accompanied by Princess Wileska and the Duke de Riancourt.
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