palities, as rocaille was imposed by the cabinet-makers."
"How fearfully serious you all are!" said Madame de Caviare. "There is that dreadful Canadian woman standing up—what rubies! how fond vulgar women always are of rubies. That passe-partout of hers is rather pretty; gold thread on blondine satin, is it not, Hilda? My glass is not very strong———"
Lady Hilda looked through her glass, and decided the important point in the affirmative.
"How she is rouged!" pursued the Countess. "I am sure Altavante did not lay that on; he is much too artistic. Maurice, have you a cigarette?"
"It is not allowed, ma chère," said the Lady Hilda.
"Pooh!" said Madame de Caviare, accepting a little delicate paper roll. "It was very kind of you, Hilda, to remind me of that; you wished me to enjoy it. Won't you have one too?"
Lady Hilda said "No" with her fan.
"If the Rocaille brought the Revolution,
