Mademoiselle is but poorly attended.

Are there not"-- and he turned to her--"some lacking ?" The girl opened her lips twice, but no sound issued.

The third time-- "Two went out," she muttered in a hoarse, strangled voice, "and have not returned." "And have not returned ?" he answered, raising his eyebrows.

"Then I fear we must not wait for them.

We might wait long!" And turning sharply to the panic-stricken servants, "Go you to your places! Do you not see that Mademoiselle waits to be served ?" The girl shuddered and spoke.
"Do you wish me," she muttered, in the same strangled tone, "to play this farce--to the end ?" "The end may be better, Mademoiselle, than you think," he answered, bowing.