The previous spring, while in Paris, she had had her jewels most confidentially replaced with excellent imitations; and the original stones were at this moment lying as pledges in the vaults of a Parisian banker.
"But, Caroline," pursued the sympathetic Olivetta, "can't you cut down expenses and remain in town?
What with your credit, you have enough for that!" "Remain in town, when everybody is leaving ?" cried Mrs.De Peyster.
"Are you out of your senses Olivetta?
Why, people would never stop talking about it!" "Of course--you're right--forgive me," stammered Olivetta.

"But you might go to some modest resort for the summer--or--or--go to Europe in a more modest way." "Olivetta, you grow more absurd every moment!" exclaimed Mrs.De Peyster.

"You know it has long been my custom to spend the first half of the summer in Europe, in a style befitting me, and to spend the second half in Newport.

To do less would set people talking, and might endanger my position." "Of course! Of course!" cried the humbled Olivetta.
"I hope you fully realize my dilemma." "It is terrible--terrible!" Olivetta's tone was slow, and full of awed dismay.

"You must maintain your social position and there is no money!" "Just so." Detailed horrors of the situation began to move in spasmodic procession through Olivetta's mind.
"And your passage is taken on the Plutonia--and it has been widely announced that you are leaving for Europe--and that newspaper is going to print your picture among the social leaders who have sailed--and, oh, Caroline, all those reporters are going to fill the papers with long articles about your going!" A new horror, that till then had escaped Mrs.De Peyster's inventory, a horror out-climaxing any in Olivetta's tragic list, burst suddenly upon Mrs.De Peyster.