I shall make it my business to find out who is this--" He did not finish: for the door was thrown open by the butler, who announced: "Mr.Alexis." Paul came into the room with a bow toward De Chauxville, who was going out, and whom he knew slightly.
"I came back," he said, "to ask what evening next week you are free.

I have a box for the 'Huguenots.'" Paul did not stay.

The thing was arranged in a few moments, and as he left the drawing-room he heard the wheels of De Chauxville's carriage.
Etta stood for a moment when the door had closed behind the two men, looking at the portiere which had hidden them from sight, as if following them in thought.

Then she gave a little laugh--a queer laugh that might have had no heart in it, or too much for the ordinary purposes of life.

She shrugged her shoulders and took up a magazine, with which she returned to the chair placed for her before the fire by Claude de Chauxville.
In a few minutes Maggie came into the room.