"The minister, the minister! Ah! well, I will soon have that minister sent to the rightabout." However, he had to cease speaking, for at that moment Baroness Duvillard came into the little drawing-room.

At forty-six years of age she was still very beautiful.

Very fair and tall, having hitherto put on but little superfluous fat, and retaining perfect arms and shoulders, with speckless silky skin, it was only her face that was spoiling, colouring slightly with reddish blotches.

And these blemishes were her torment, her hourly thought and worry.

Her Jewish origin was revealed by her somewhat long and strangely charming face, with blue and softly voluptuous eyes.
As indolent as an Oriental slave, disliking to have to move, walk, or even speak, she seemed intended for a harem life, especially as she was for ever tending her person.