Close on the notary's heels came others.

Some were in riding costume, and came from a distance.
One sprightly lady wore evening dress, only partially concealed by a cloak.

She hurried in with a nod for Albert de Chantonnay, and a kiss for the Comtesse.

Her presence had the immediate effect of imparting an air of practical common-sense energy to the assembly, which it had hitherto lacked.

There was nothing of the old regime in this lady, who seemed to over-ride etiquette, and cheerfully ignore the dramatic side of the proceedings.
"Is it not wonderful ?" she whispered aloud, after the manner of any modern lady at one of those public meetings in which they take so large a part with so small a result in these later days.