She did no more than point the way to a door, where presently I found a bath-room, and so refreshed myself and made the best toilet possible under the circumstances.
My hostess I found awaiting me in the central room of the apartments.
She was clad now in a girdled peignoir of rich rose-color, the sleeves, wide and full, falling hack from her round arms.

Her dark hair was coiled and piled high on her head this morning, regardless of current mode, and confined in a heavy twist by a tall golden comb; so that her white neck was left uncovered.

She wore no jewelry, and as she stood, simple and free from any trickery of the coquette, I thought that few women ever were more fair.

That infinite witchery not given to many women was hers, yet dignity as well.

She was, I swear, _grande dame_, though young and beautiful as a goddess.