Hush, this is the first real test that you have been subjected to; if you are not strong enough to go through it, then we had better say farewell.

Be firm, for a thunderbolt is about to fall!" The manner in which these apparently trivial words were spoken startled Paul, who, by a strong effort, recovered his self-possession; but, prepared as he was, it was with the utmost difficulty that he stifled the expression of rage and surprise that rose to his lips at the sight of the woman who entered the room.

The Madame de Chantemille, the Zora of the youthful Gandelu, was there, attired in what to his eyes seemed a most dazzling costume.

Rose seemed a little timid as Gandelu almost dragged her into the room.
"How silly you are!" said he.

"What is there to be frightened at?
He is only in a rage with his flunkies for having kept us waiting." Zora sank negligently into an easy chair, and the gorgeously attired youth addressed the all-powerful Van Klopen.
"Well, have you invented a costume that will be worthy of Madame's charms ?" For a few moments Van Klopen appeared to be buried in profound meditation.
"Ah," said he, raising his hand with a grandiloquent gesture, "I have it; I can see it all in my mind's eye." "What a man!" murmured Gaston in deep admiration.
"Listen," resumed the tailor, his eye flashing with the fire of genius.